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C!)e 9lutomot)ile Courist 



%f}t ^utomobtlr Couriet 



MOTOR CAR JOURNEYS FROM 
PHILADELPHIA 

WITH HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE NOTES 



BY 

PHEBE WESTCOTT HUMPHREYS 



Pf)ilaticlpf)ia 
FERRIS ^ LEACH 

PUBLISHERS 






LIBHARY of JONGRESSf 
fwu Oopie:. deuNvvj j 

JUL 12 lyUi) 

4iLA5S G_ AAc. Nu 

I COPY a. 



Qrtiiratrti 

tofjosr motoring cutfjusiasm has protitirti continual 

inspiration for all tirligf)ts of tl)c open 

roati traticrscti on ti}c iiiings 

of motirrn magic 



Copyright, 1905, by Ferris & Leach 



Contents 



Historic Valley Forge ". ' ' ' 

By Suburban Villas to Pox Chase 

Eeading and the Schuylkill Valley 

WrictHtstoavn and Its Monument . 

Through New Jersey to New York . 

Over Bristol Pike to Torresdale 

Hatboro and Hartsville 

Bustleton and Crescentville 

The Old Mills of Cheltenham 

Philadelphia to Lake wood . 

An Outing to Ancient Chester 

Quaint Upland and Marcus Hook 

Bartram's Gardens, Darby and Lansdowne . 

Along the Delaware to Wilmington 

The Ringing Rocks of Pottstown 

Experiences of a Run to Easton 

Old Burlington .... 

Germantown and Chestnut Hill 

Conshohocken and Its Revolutionary Memories 

The City by the Sea 

Through the South Jersey Pines 

An Auto Trip by Moonlight . 



PAGES 

13 



43 
55 
71 
87 
101 
117 
131 
145 
157 
167 
181 
193 
205 
217 
229 
239 
259 
273 
289 
3(13 



preface 



xViitoinobilists have long deplored the fact that 
there is no guide book published that fully meets their 
needs. Roads between cities and towns are fre- 
quently given, with distances and hotel accommoda- 
tions and rates set forth in some publications, but 
there the information ends. 

There is no data for the automobilist who owns a 
road car for purposes of healthful recreation, for the 
business man. or the busy professional who must 
confine his motoring largely to day or half-day trips, 
who wants his outing to include the additional quali- 
ties of pleasure and instruction. There are, of course, 
a few well-Avorn routes that are known to all. Occa- 
sionally a motorist makes a trip striking out for him- 
self. Sometimes he is fortunate in finding good 
roads and pleasant scenery. More often he is unfor- 
tunate. He tells his friends, but the news of a good 
route travels slowly. 

Even with correct data regarding roads, distances 
and hotels, there is much left untold. What can be 
seen ? Is the view of the country pleasing ? Are 
there any famous historical places encountered? 
What is there especially attractive about this route 
or that? These and many other questions, all im- 
portant, have arisen, but remained unanswered. They 

7 



8 Cfte automobile Couri0n 

are equally pertinent for tally-ho parties, for summer 
driving when restful horse-and-carriage outings are to 
be enjoyed, or for sleighing parties in the winter; and 
the majority of the journeys here described for the 
benefit of the automobile tourist will be quite as help- 
ful for the others. 

For several years I have resisted the importunities 
of automobile friends to prepare a guide book, from 
personal experiences, answering these and many 
other questions. Being among the first to indulge in 
the sport that was considered a novelty in the nine- 
teenth century, I liave kept a faithful record of pleas- 
ant outings — from the time of our first purchase of a 
road car in 1899 — for future reference, and for the 
benefit of motoring acquaintances. With an enthusi- 
astic husband as chauffeur, and a small son and an 
occasional friend as appreciative passengers, there has 
been keen enjoyment in the planning of each experi- 
mental route, and in keeping copious notes of the 
journey, as well as in making a special study of the 
history and topography of the environs of Philadel- 
])hia, ill Pennsylvania, Xcw Jersey, and Delaware. 

From the numerous tours that have followed, 
twenty-two trips have been described for this first 
automobile guide book. These trips, however, may 
include ten times twenty-two l)y dividing the fifty and 
hundred-mile journeys — frequently providing suffi- 
cient interest for several days' outing — into day or 
half-day trips, by traveling only a part of the dis- 



preface* o 

tance, after selecting some intermediate point of spe- 
cial interest. 

The time allowed for various outings is based upon 
the interests of the route, without taking into consid- 
eration the speed capacity of the different road cars 
making the journey. Accounts of record-breaking 
runs and endurance contests have been eliminated in 
the preparation of a book which is essentially a guide 
for automobile exploring, although many of the thor- 
oughfares traversed will prove especially inviting for 
speeding. 

Many of the routes described here will suggest to 
the traveler following the directions of the guide book 
a continued journey to some more distant point. 
VoY those venturing into new and untried paths I 
would pass on the advice given to us by an automo- 
bile enthusiast in our early days of motoring. It is 
never safe, we were told, to trust to a bicycle wheel- 
man, or a bicycle road map with its red-lined routes, 
in planning an automobile journey. The road maps 
prepared by the L. A. \Y. are frequently a delusion 
and a snare to the automobilist. A road which seems 
most seductive on the bicycler's map may be a sea of 
sand in New Jersey, or a veritable quagmire in Penn- 
sylvania, with an excellent bicycle path at the side — 
a path that is almost invariably protected by law from 
the use of all four-wheeled veliicles. And even when 
lonely stretches, seemingly out of the reach of law- 
makers, tempt the motorist to take the law in his 



10 Cfte amomofiile Couri^t 

own hands, lie will find it unpleasant traveling with 
one side of his car held up on the hard, narrow path- 
way, and the wheels of the other side ploughing 
nearly hub-deep in bottomless sand or mud. 

It will be much better, in selecting runs along un- 
known roadways, to ignore the red lines of all maps, 
and to follow this very practical rule which w^as set 
down for our guidance: "' About the safest course is 
to spread out the map, and run a straight line be- 
tween the principal points on the proposed route. 
Xote the larger villages, towns and cities near the 
line so drawn, make a list of them in the order they 
come from the starting point, and simply inquire at 
each of these points for the best road to the next. If 
the list includes places of fair size — say from ten to 
twenty thousand inhabitants — it is reasonably certain 
that the roads connecting such places Avill be about 
as good as there are in the vicinity; now and then a 
better road may be missed, but in the long run that 
does not matter much, and the advantage of keeping 
quite close to the straight line tells in the way of 
mileage." 

This plan has led us into many alluring byways, 
and places of unsuspected delights, throughout the 
numerous automobile journeys, which have increased 
with unabated enthusiasm wdth every passing year of 
the twentieth century. It has been difficult to select 
from the numerous tours — each suggestive of varied 
individual attractions — the few that offer the most 



preface* ii 

diverse interests, within easy access of Philadelphia. 
This has been made the special object of the guide 
book, the next most important feature being the 
authentic history of the famous landmarks encoun- 
tered. 

It has been impossible to give credit for these 
numerous historic facts; while known to be authen- 
tic, the majority of them have come through such 
varied sources that the authors of their original re- 
counting cannot be traced. The enthusiastic motor- 
ist naturally begins a study of the history and topog- 
raphy of his State immediately after his initiation 
into the delights of touring. This is one of the many 
advantageous features which have followed the intro- 
duction of the automobile. When this desire for his- 
toric research l)ecame most pronounced during my 
early days of motoring, I became an enthusiastic 
member of ^ The City History Club," " The City 
Outing Club," and the Site and Relic Society; while 
the rooms of the Pennsylvania Historical Society 
quickly assumed a homelike air from frequent visit- 
ing. The numerous lectures given before these vari- 
ous organizations during the past few years have 
been faithfully attended and noted. An auto tour 
closely followed each of the club outings, and local 
traditions, added to the lectures, were carefully traced 
to authentic sources before being recounted as facts. 
Therefore, while original authorship cannot be cred- 
ited, every detail of history, every quaint bit of 



12 



Cbe antomotiile Couri0t 



legendary lore here recorded, has been subjected to 
such painstaking research that its reliability in every 
instance has been, so far as possible, firmly estab- 
lished. 

In connection with the historic value of such a 
guide book, and the selection of special tours sugges- 
tive of varied attractions, the additional features that 
are sure to prove helpful are the tested routes that 
promise the most pleasure with the least wear and 
tear; the alluring scenic delights that may be discov- 
ered out of the beaten paths; and the probable time 
to be consumed by each journey, Avhen taking into 
consideration the average state of the roads, the side 
trips and mileage restrictions. 




RUSTIC CHARMS OF VILLAGE STREAMS. 



It)i0tDnc l^allcp jTorge* 



Distance from Philadelphia. 

About twenty -five miles by way of River Drive, Montgomery 
Pike and Gulf Mills Koad. Sixty miles will cover return and 
short side trips. 

EOUTE. 

Out East River Drive to Queen Lane Pumping Station. Take 
left fork at Pumping Station over City Line Bridge and past 
Bala Station to Montgomery Avenue, out the avenue to Gulf 
Mills, Bridgeport and Valley Forge. Return by way of Bridge- 
port, Norristown, the Reading Pike, Chestnut Hill and German- 
town. 

EOADS. 

Good traveling to the Gulf Hills, rough hill climbing for two 
or three miles. Fair from Valley Forge to Norristown. Good 
down the Reading Pike. 

What to See. 

Landmarks of Montgomery Avenue. 

Monument marking Washington's encampment on the march 
to Paoli. 

Historic mills of Old Gulf Road. 

Monument marking Washington's encampment on the march 
to Valley Forge, and Henderson Supplee house. 

Hanging rock on the Gulf Road. 

Bird-in-Hand Inn and church of the " Plummerites." 

King of Prussia Inn and charming views above Bridgeport. 

Revolutionary landmarks on Mount Joy, iMount Misery and 
Valley Creek. 

Headquarters of Washington and his officers. 



J^i0tonc l^allep jForge* 



A Journey Through Gulf Mills and the King of Prussia Hills, 
Over Washington's Line of March. 



The aiitomobilist has the advantage over the trav- 
eler by train or trolley who must go by way of N'or- 
ristown and Bridgeport to Valley Forge. I^either 
trains nor trolley lines give direct access to the routes 
made famous by the march of the weary, foot-sore 
and half-starved patriots through the old Gulf Road, 
and over the King of Prussia Hills into Valley Forge. 
Taking the route by way of Montgomery Pike the 
run will lead over another famous line of march on 
the way to Paoli, previous to the famous Paoli mas- 
sacre. 

Take the River Drive in East Park past Falls 
Bridge, and take left fork at pumping station across 
City Line Bridge to Montgomery Avenue. This 
route leads over a hill one and a fourth miles long 
after crossing City Line Bridge, but it is of compara- 
tively easy grade, and does not prove formidable to 
the average road car; and the scenery by way of the 
East River Drive to Montgomery Avenue more than 
compensates the slight inconvenience of the hill 
climb. In reality, the steepest grade is on the Ridge 
Avenue side of the bridge. On leaving City Line, 
at Bala Station, a turn to the rio;ht leads to Mont^'om- 
ery Avenue. 



16 Ct)e automotJile Courist 

On the right of Montgomery Avenue, in the corner 
of the grounds of a beautiful country seat above the 
General Wayne Inn, stands the granite monument 
erected by the Lower Merion Chapter, Daughters of 
American Revohition. It Avas one of the earliest 
celebrations planned and executed by the new Chap- 
ter nearly a decade ago. Shortly after their inaugu- 
ration they held a special meeting at the residence of 
Mrs. Samuel McDowell, near the General Wayne 
Inn, and Mr. and Mrs. McDowell presented the Chap- 
ter with a fine piece of ground upon which to erect 
the memorial stone to mark the place where Wash- 
ington's army encamped, September 14th, 1777, on 
the way to Paoli. It was decided to dedicate the 
stone with elaborate program on September llth, 
1896, the 119th anniversary of the day. It was voted 
that the memorial stone should be a rough granite 
block, four feet high, two feet wide and two feet 
thick — the front to be polished and appropriately let- 
tered. According to the press notices of the day the 
unveiling of the monument created widespread inter- 
est. Mayor Jacob Weidel, of Reading, made a patri- 
otic address. The monument w^as covered with a 
Betsy Eoss flag, made by members of the Chapter, 
with thirteen stars. A detachment of Battery A, 
under command of Captain M. S. Stafford, fired a 
salute of forty-five guns. The inscription on the 
granite monument states that '^ On this and adjacent 
ground Washington's army encamped September 



14th, 1777. Erected by ]\[erion Chapter, Daughters 
of the American Revohition, September 14th, 1896. 
Ground presented by Samuel R. McDowell." 

LANDMARKS OF OLD GULF MILLS. 

following Montgomery Avenue, Ardmore is 
reached, about eleven miles from Philadelphia; Hav- 
erford, twelve and a half miles; Bryn Mawr, thirteen 
and a half miles, and Gulf Mills, eighteen miles. On 
entering the Gulf Road another monument is passed, 
on the ground of the encampment of Washington and 
his army before going into winter quarters at Valley 
Forge, in 1777. The Pennsylvania Society of the 
Sons of the Revolution erected the monument in 
1S92. They chose wisely in selecting for the mem- 
orial stone a native boulder from an adjoining hill. 
During the night of the Gulf Mills encampment it is 
said that Washington slept in the Henderson Supplee 
house, near the monument. Only the charred ruins 
remain of the old Gulf Mills, which were built in 
1747. The Gulf Creek, which supplied the water 
power, empties into the Schuylkill at Conshohocken. 

On the old Gulf Road, about half-way between the 
ruins of the old Gulf iiouring mill and the McFar- 
land mills, is a very curious geological formation 
known as '^ hanging rock." It hangs directly over 
the roadway, and makes the passage very narrow at 
this point. Many quaint legends are recounted in 
connection with this spot; according to one of them, 



18 



C&e automobile Couri0t 





THE FAMOUS IIAISGING ROCK OF GULF MILLS. 



a pretty bit of sentiment lias given tlie rock another 
name, that of Toll Kock. On moonlight nights, when 
the youths of the surrounding country take their 
lady-loves driving, upon passing beneath the over- 
hanging rock — so states the legend — they are allowed 
the toll of a kiss, hence the other name. 

[N'ear " hanging rock " is what is understood to be 
'' The Gulf." This is where the Gulf Creek passes 
through the Gulf Hill, and has cleft it to its base in 
order to effect a passage. The stream, and the road 
by its side, wind through it somewhat in the shape of 
an S, and at the narrowest part there is just room 
enou2:h for both, the whole width being not more 



than forty feet. From tlieir temporary encampment 
just beyond and above the hanging rock, the main 
body of the Contmental army, on December 19th, 
1777, marched through this gateway of the Gulf, and 
moved to their winter quarters at Valley Forge. 

After a short run on Gulf Road, the Bird-in-Hand 
inn is reached. This is said to have been named for 
an ancient English tavern at the time of the Revolu- 
tion. The inn was kept by John Roberts in 1786. 
The popular name of Bird-in-Hand was not only ap- 
plied to the inn, but to the surroimding settlement, in- 
cluding Mechanicsville, about half a mile distant. It 
is a business place containing several woolen mills, 
saw and planing mill, and other manufacturing in- 
dustries. For a time the Post Ofifice located here was 
known as Bird-in-Hand, and it retained this name 
until ISoO, when it was changed to its present one of 
Gulf Hills. A little old historic building long used 
as a feed store now bears the sign of Post Office: it 
stands on the left of the road on the way to Valley 
Forse. A sliahl detour from here will take the 
autoist to the famous old church of the '" Plummer- 
ites/' situated about a quarter of a mile southeast of 
Gulf Mills. 

Returning to Gulf Road, the run continues by way 
of Bridgeport and King of Prussia to Valley Forge. 
Along this road were found the old Penn milestones, 
as they were called, having on one side the distance 
to the city, and on the other the Penn coat-of-arms. 



20 Cbe automotJile Coun0t 

The uppermost one is still standing about three miles 
below Valley Forge. A road was laid out from 
Whiteland, m Chester County, in 1723, to the Swedes 
Ford, now Bridgeport, by way of the present I\ing of 
Prussia. This shows that the travel at an early 
period must have been considerable in this direction. 
The Gulf Road leading from Valley Forge, through 
the King of Prussia and the Gulf Mills towards the 
city, is denoted on Lewis Evans' map of the Middle 
Colonies, published in 1749, thus clearly indicating 
that this, too, Avas an early highway. 

HISTORIC KING OF PRUSSIA. 

Just beyond Bridgeport is the historic King of 
Prussia Inn, as famous for its hospitality to-day as it 
was over a century ago. The name of King of Prus- 
sia, like that of Bird-in-Hand, is applied to the sur- 
rounding settlement as well as to the old tavern 
which was established in 1786, and first kept by John 
Elliott. It is situated at the intersection of the Gulf 
and State Koads. The change of the post office 
names, about the middle of the last century, has occa- 
sioned many conflicting statements. Historic facts 
may be more readily adjusted if it is kept in mind 
that Avhat is now Gulf Mills was known as Bird-in- 
Hand post office previous to 1830; that what was 
known as Swed eland post office previous to 1876 has 
since been merged with the one at Bridgeport; and 
that the King of Prussia post office was known as 



©allep j7orge* 21 

Reesville previous to 1851, when it was given its pres- 
ent name. 

SCENIC BEAUTY ABOVE BRIDGEPORT. 

The scenic beauty of the run steadily increases be- 
tween Bridgeport and Valley Forge, a distance of six 
miles. It is claimed that there are few walks more 
interesting than that along the tow-path by the river 
for this distance. The towns, villages, manufac- 
tories and scenery presents a varied and increasingly- 
interesting view at every turn of the river. A quar- 
ter of a mile below the famous Catfish Dam, and 
three miles above Bridgeport, the view is especially 
fine. Looking up the stream, the falls of the Catfish 
Dam are seen extending across the river, and about 
three-fourths of a mile beyond a portion of Port Ken- 
nedy is seen nestled in the hills, mth its picturesque 
bridge; and still beyond, forming a central back- 
ground, the wooded hills of Valley Forge appear to 
spring directly from the river. 

Mount Joy and Mount Misery are the two most 
prominent hills to greet the traveler on entering 
Valley Forge from this direction. Tradition asserts 
that these names were bestowed on the bluffs near the 
Schuylkill by William Penn. It is said that he lost 
his way on the hill south of Valley Creek, while ex- 
ploring the place, and accordingly named it Mount 
Misery, but in his joy in discovering his whereabouts 
on reaching the top of the opposite eminence he gave 




KING OF PRUSSIA INN ON THE ROAD TO VALLEY FORGE. 




A STREET OF DESERTED HOMES AT VALLEY FORGE. 



it the name of Mount Joy. Valley Forge was known 
as Mount Joy previous to 1775, according to the 
early documents. After that the name of Mount Joy 
was applied only to the hill so named by Penn, and 
the settlement in the valley was named for the forge 
situated upon Valley Creek, about half a mile above 
its mouth. This forge w^as burned by the British 
about two months before the American army en- 
camped there^ and the new works were not erected 
until after the close of the Revolutionary war. The 
iron used at Valley Forge w^as made at Warwick Fur- 
nace, in Chester County, and hauled there by teams. 

THE VALLEY FORGE ENCAMPMENT. 

It was upon Mount Joy that the American Army 
was encamped, and the automobilist may visit the 
headquarters of the various officers and many places 
of interest in the vicinity — by entering Valley Forge 
by this route — that are frequently missed by sight- 
seers who enter by train, and find their center of in- 
terest in Washington's Headquarters near the sta- 
tion. The historic Potts mansion, which was selected 
by General Washington as his headquarters, is prob- 
ably the most Avidely known of any building con- 
nected with the Revolutionary War. For six months 
it was the home of Washington, during that terrible 
winter of privation and suffering for the American 
Army, from December 19th, 1777, to June 19th, 
1778. The buildino; was erected by John Potts in 



24 Cfte automotiile Courisn 

1759, and at the time of the encampment it was the 
home of his son, Isaac Potts, then the proprietor of 
the Valley Forge. 

The woods above Port Kennedy are full of interest 
to those who can make the run to the site of the 
^' huts in the woods/' to the place where Baron Steu- 
ben drilled the soldiers, and to the one lone grave of 
the encampment ground, in the field opposite this 
piece of woods. The shallow cellars of the famous 
" huts in the woods " appear to be in lines of streets 
running north and south, and can be readily traced. 
It is said that the I^orthern and Eastern troops placed 
their log cabins much deeper in the earth than their 
Southern comrades. They were, therefore, better 
protected from the cold, and the mortality was less 
than among the soldiers whose huts were almost en- 
tirely above ground. 

PROMINENT HEADQUARTERS. 

After visiting the Valley Forge Park, with its new 
monument, the headquarters of the various generals 
may be visited in turn. On what is now known as 
Edwin Moore's farm was the headquarters of General 
Muhlenberg; while the Jones property, near the 
bridge over the creek, then owned by John Brown, 
was the headquarters of General Knox. 

About half a mile from Washington's headquarters 
a line of entrenchments crosses the road, beginning 
near the Schuylkill and extending southward fully a 



mile, terminating near the Chester County line. On 
the farm of William Stephens, a few yards north of 
this road, is a redoubt near the Schuylkill, placed 
there to command Sullivan's Bridge, which was just 
below Catfish Island, in case of an attempt being 
made to enter the encampment from the north side 
of the river. On the south side of the road, and in 
front of these entrenchments, is a redoubt called Fort 
Hamilton, and another called Fort Washington, 
nearly a mile south and close to the Chester County 
line. 

At the corner of a field and road leading from Cen- 
treville to Valley Forge the " Sons of the Revolu- 
tion " have placed a stone to mark the location of 
General Wayne's headquarters, on the farm owned 
by William Henry Walker. Upon the memorial 
stone is inscribed: " 600 yards east from this stone is 
the headquarters of Major-General Anthony 
Wayne." Although this old homestead has been 
modernized, it is one of the most interesting of the 
group of officers' headquarters that cluster around 
Valley Forge, ^ear the famous " Moore Hall," at 
the home of Moses Coates, Generals Gates and Mif- 
fiin and Colonels Davis and Ballard were quartered. 
Other officers had their headquarters at Jacob Penny- 
packer's. In fact, it seems that the majority of the 
historic homesteads of ancient Valley Forge were 
pressed into ser^dce for quartering the officers of the 
American Army during that memorable winter of 



26 



Cfte automobile Coun0t* 



the encampment, while the soldiers were sheltered in 
the huts and tents on the surrounding hillsides. 

The automobilist has the advantage of being able 
to quickly visit in succession these many interesting 
homesteads. The picturesque Washington spring, 
across the road from Valley Creek, a short distance 
from Washington's headquarters, should also be vis- 
ited; and the handsome country residence of Attor- 
ney-General Knox, where President Roosevelt was 
entertained on June 19th, 1904. 

For a change of route, the return trip from Valley 
Forge may be made by way of Bridgeport, Xorris- 
town, the Eoading Pike, Chestnut Hill and German- 
town. 



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A MODERN WAY OF BRAVING THE RIGORS OF A 
VALLEY FORGE AVINTER. 



15p ©u&urban l?illa0 to JF0£ Cftase. 



DisT.AXCE FRo:n Philadelphia. 

About ten miles by shortest route out Second Street Pike. 
Few miles further by York Road route. Going, return, and 
side trips cover about twenty-live miles. 

EOUTE. 
Out Broad Street, Erie Avenue and Old York Road to Green 
Lane. Out Green Lane, Tabor Road and Second Street Pike 
to Fox Chase. Return down Second Street Pike direct through 
Lawndale and Olney, and down Fifth Street, Rising Sun Lane 
and Broad Street. 

EOADS. 
Smooth, hard pike, and good macadam. 

What to See. 

Hunting Park. 
Historic " Stenton." 

Logan Burying Ground on the Wingohocking. 
" Oak Hill," the Lippincott homestead. 
" Cornwallis Lane," leading to Cornwallis's headquarters. 
Beautiful old " Solitude." 
Historic " Fairfield." 

The P. A. B. Widener Home for Crippled Children. 
The Jewish Hospital. 

The Butler homestead of Fanny Kemble fame. 
Homesteads of Branchtown and Green Lane. 
Old Trinity Oxford Church. 
Ancient hostelries of Fox Chase. 

Beautiful " Burholme," soon to be added to the city park 
system. 



15p S^uliurtjan mua^ to JTo^e Cftase* 



With Many Quaint Old Homesteads, Beautiful Country Seats 
and Spots Famous in History Along the Way. 



From Broad and Market to Fox Chase is a dis- 
tance of only ten miles, by way of the shortest 
route, out Second Street Pike. But this is one of the 
many auto trips that demand two distinct routes in 
order to secure the most enjoyment from the outing. 
Going by way of Old York Road, Green Lane and 
Tabor Road will add two or three miles to the trip — 
according to the short side trips fomid desirable; but 
at most it may be made in two hours^ — even when 
keeping wdthin the mileage limit, allow^ing several 
pauses for points of special interest and supper at one 
of the historic bins of P'ox Chase; with another hour 
allowed for the shorter route home — with fewer 
pauses — by way of Second Street Pike, Feltonvillc 
and Olney. 

For the outgoing trip, run north on Broad Street 
to Erie Avenue, turn to right out Erie Avenue to Old 
York Road. This is one of the oldest roads in the 
suburbs of the city, and one thronging with Revolu- 
tionary memories and picturesque views. It has 
taken its name from the fact that it was the first road 
leading from Philadelphia to Xew York, and from 
its antiquity, as it was one of the earliest to be laid 
out in the vicinity of Philadelphia. It w^as laid out 



30 Cfte automolJile Couri0t 

in 1711 from. what is now Center Bridge, on the DeL^- 
ware River, to Philadelphia. Center Bridge in those 
early days was known as Coryell's Ferry — about four 
miles above ^ew Hope. 

In 1803, nearly a century after Old York Road 
was laid out, a petition was sent to the Governor to 
authorize a turnpike. 

The Willow Grove and Cheltenham Turnpike was 
begun and finished as far as Willow Grove in 1804. 
The turnpike began at the junction of Old York 
Road and Germantown Avenue. At that time one of 
the most famous of the ancient hostelries was situ- 
ated at the junction of these two roads — the Rising 
Sun Inn. It was burned by the British in 1777, but 
the historic name still clings to the neighborhood. 

WINGOHOCKING CREEK ROMANCE. 

On entering York Road from Erie Avenue, Hunt- 
ing Park is noticed on the right. This is now a part 
of the park system of the city. Just beyond, on the 
left, the James Logan country seat is passed, with a 
glimpse of the famous Logan homestead, ^' Stenton," 
standing up in the center of the grounds, and the 
ancient burying ground, with its low stone w^all, on 
the hill slope leading down to Wingohocking Creek. 
According to tradition, it was here, where the Wingo- 
hocking Creek winds down to York Road past Sten- 
ton, that the good Indian chieftain, Wingohocking, 
standine: with James Los^an on the border of the 



Jfo^ Cftase* 



31 



stream, proposed to Logan to change his name and 
assume the musical one of Wingohocking, for the In- 
dian chief loved the white man, and this was a favor- 
ite method of showing it. Logan convinced him that 
the law would make it ditHcult for him to give up his 
name, but said: " Do thou, chief, take mine and give 
thine to tliis stream, which passes through my fields, 
and when I am ]:)assed away, and while the earth shall 
endure, it shall flow and bear thy name." x\nd Win- 
gohocking Creek it became, and thus the old chief 
received his lasting memorial. 




STENTOX BURYING GROUND. SLOPING DOWN TO OLD YORK ROAD. 



In the hollow just beyond stood a snuff mill in the 
early days, and the hill was known as Snuff Mill Hill. 
This was one of the worst parts of the original York 
Road. A deep mire of black mud extended through 
the hollow and partly ascended the hill, and it is said 
that horses were frequently seen in the old stage 
coach days struggling in it to their knees. ^' Oak 
Hill," the beautiful estate of J. Bertram Lippincott, 
extends alons" York Road, on the riaht, bevond Win- 



32 Cfte automobile Coun0n 

gohocking Creek. There is an attractive lodge house 
at the entrance, and a winding driveway, shaded by 
magnificent overai'ching trees, leads up to the man- 
sion, where stately Grecian pillars form an arcade of 

grandeur. 

HISTORIC "SOLITUDE." 

Adjoining the Lippincott estate is historic '' Soli- 
tude." This place cannot be seen from York Road, 
as the ancient mansion and spacious grounds stand 
well back from the roadway, but it is well worth the 
sligJit detour necessary to visit the famous headquar- 
ters of Lord Cornwallis (w^hich w^as owned by John 
Roberts at the time of the Revolution), and the man- 
sion which J olm Roberts built for his daughter Sarah 
in 1775. The old Roberts homestead has been de- 
stroyed, as it was in the line of the Torresdale Boule- 
vard; and the stately " Solitude " mansion and its sur- 
rounding acres, wliich has long been known as '^ Mrs. 
Keim's plantation," and in which Harriet DeB. 
Keim, the granddaughter of John Roberts, died at 
the age of 97, a few years ago, has been sold to a 
building operation. But much of its former grandeur 
still remains, and traditions of its occupancy by the 
British still cling to the place. 

The lane leading to "' Solitude " — still known as 
'^ Cornwallis Lane " — is entered by a gateway with 
rough stone pillars, at the end of the Lippincott 
grounds. The old lane is rough traveling in wet 
weather, and fidl of ruts at all seasons, but the dis- 



JToj Cftase* 



33 



tance is short, and it is worth a little shaking up to 
visit the ancient homestead and the improvements 
along the line of the new bonlevard. Logan Station 
is next reached, where the name of James Logan, 
William Penn's famons secretary, is perpetuated in 
the name of the station and the snrroundincr settle- 




SOLITUDE " IS WELL WORTH A DETOUR FROM YORK ROAD. 



ment. Broad Street enters Old York Road at this 
point. If desirable, in making the trip to Fox Chase 
by way of Broad Street and York Road, the auto may 
continue up Broad Street's smooth thoroughfare to 
Logan; but as York Road is equally good traveling at 
3 



34 Cbe automobile Coun0t 

all seasons^ it will ])ay to make the turn at Erie Ave- 
nue, in order to pass these intervening points of in- 
terest. 

FAIRFIELD AND ITS MEMORIES. 

Just above Logan — still on the right of York Road 
— is beautiful, historic Fairfield. Part of it was built 
two hundred years ago, and during the yellow fever 
epidemic in Philadelphia, when Stephen Girard did 
such noble work for his fellowmen, many refugees 
fled here for safety. It was originally called New- 
ington by the Richardsons, who purchased the land 
in 1680. It was afterw^ard named Clearfield by 
Henry Drinker, who resided here until 1796. It was 
then bought by D'Brahme, who lived in great state, 
and was famous for his lavish hospitality. John Hart 
— popularly known as Philadelphia's first druggist — 
was the next owner. He named the place Fairfield, 
and built a new house a short distance from the old 
one. He sold the place to Alfred Cope, from whom 
it passed to his daughter, Mrs. Philip C. Garrett. 

What was considered the finest residence within 
fifty miles of Philadelphia, when built in 1852, is just 
beyond Fairfield. It is known as Woodfield, and was 
built by Joseph Swift. The mansion w^as modeled 
after one of the castles on the Rhine. In 1809 
Swarthmore, the country seat of Thomas Morris, ad- 
joined Woodfield. Thomas Morris belonged to the 
family of Captain Samuel Morris, the first com- 
mander of the First Troop, Philadelphia City Cav- 



Jfo^e Cj)a0e* 



35 



airy, and GoA^ernor of tlie State in Schuylkill. This 
famous country seat is now occupied by the Jemsh 
Hospital, which was originally located in West Phila- 
delphia, at Fifty-sixth Street and Haverford Avenue. 
It was opened in August, 1866, and having outgrown 
its West Philadelphia quarters, it secured its present 
site, and the institution was moved to its charming 
location on the Old York Road. 

THE BUTLER PLACE. 

Beaumont, formerly the country seat of the 
ilodgers famih', was opposite the Jewish Hospital. 
This stood on the left of the roadway. The land was 
originally a part of the tract belonging to Charles 
Wilson Peale, the famous portrait painter. John 
Pice built the mansion, but afterwards sold it to John 




THE BUTLER :SIAXS10.\ OF FANNY KEMHLE FA:ML. 



36 Cf)c automobile Couti^t 

D. Kodgers, late president of the Tradesmen's Bank. 
The P. A. E. Widener Home for Crippled Children 
is now one of the most interesting places at this sec- 
tion of Old York Road. This stands just below 
Thorp's Lane, while just above the lane is the Butler 
place of Fanny Kemble fame. A fine avenue of trees 
leads from Thorp's Lane to the fine old country man- 
sion. This was originally the main entrance way, but 
since the Frankford trolley line has been cut through, 
Thorp's Lane is merged into Olney Avenue, and there 
is now a steep eml)ankment, spoiling the effect of the 
fine old sweep of driveway. The mansion is partially 
hidden from Old York Boad by a thick hedge sur- 
mounting a stone wall, but the glimpses which one 
can catch of it, here and there^ bespeak an old Colo- 
nial home of importance. 

The house was built in 1791 by a Frenchman 
named Eoullange. It passed into the possession of 
Major Pierce Butler, of Charleston, S. C, in 1810. 
The grounds include over a hundred acres, and have 
an extended frontage on Old A^ork Boad on the east, 
(Ui Thorp's Lane on the south, and old Branchtown 
Turnpike on the west. The western boundary is also 
skirted l)y Thorp's dam, wdiich was once a beautiful 
sheet of water, but which is now marshy meadow, 
with the breastwork fallen, the mill-wheel silenced, 
and all its romantic beauty dispelled. The property 
is now owned by Mrs. Owen J. Wister, the great- 
granddaughter of Major Butler. 



38 Cf)e automotiile Couri^t* 

Major Pierce Butler was of the family of the Duke 
of Ormond. He was born in Ireland on July 11th, 
1744, and was the third son of Sir Kiehard Butler, of 
Garryhunden County. For some years previous to 
the Eevolution Major Butler was stationed in Amer- 
ica. He was a major of a British regiment in Bos- 
ton, but becoming enthused with the republican ideas 
advocated all about him, he joined his fortunes with 
the Americans. In 1787 he was a delegate from 
South Carolina to Congress, and a member of the con- 
vention Avhich framed the Constitution of the United 
States. He was also one of the first Senators from 
South Carolina. In 1768 he married a daughter of 
Colonel Middleton, of Charleston, S. C, and after he 
retired from the army he owned two plantations in 
Georgia — Butler Island, a rice plantation of two 
thousand acres, and St. Simons, a sea-island cotton 
plantation of six thousand acres. 

After purchasing the York Koad property, in 
1810, he spent his remaining years here. His son 
married Fanny Kemble, the famous actress, and for 
a time the couple lived here; the place at that time 
was known as Bramblethorpe, although it has since 
been kno^\Ti as the Butler place. It has remained to 
the present day in the possession of the direct de- 
scendants of Major Butler. 

The Xedro house, which stood directly opposite the 
Butler place during the Eevolution, has been torn 
down. In it were quartered some of the British 



JTo^ C!)a0e* 



39 



officers during their occupancy of Philadelphia. 
Right across the York Road at this point the British 
made a barricade, and considerable fighting took 
place in the vicinity. 

Just above this historic spot the Old York Road 
passes through Branchtown. Take the first turn to 
the right — at Green Lane — and pass out the lane to 
the railroad station at Fern Rock. Kenilworth Inn, 
on the left, was once the home of Kane, the Arctic 
explorer. Green Lane passes the railroad and con- 
tinues past Champlost, the famous Fox estate, which 
stands on the right, a little in from the lane, while 
opposite Champlost estate is the historic White Man- 
sion, overlooking; the bio' reservoir now beinc; con- 



SH^' 




Wtx- 


,^ 


p?/// 


\ 


^ «M •■' 


1 


^^^gH^dHBH^^^S^B ^^^^^^^P^^^S^^^H 


_^^^^^^i 


Shh Jf'3i^E 


^^iKUHMm^ 


i^H 



CORXWALLIS IIEADQUAKTEKS, DESTKOYEl) BY THE IJOILEX AK! 



40 Cf)e automobile Couri0t 

structed to supply the residents of Oak Lane with fil- 
tered water from the Torresdale plant. 

QUAINT FOX CHASE. 

From Green Lane take the first road to the right 
above Champlost, and turn to the left on reaching 
Tabor Eoad. Continue out Tabor Koad to Second 
Street Pike, and again turn to the left to continue up 
the pike to Fox Chase. The historic Trinity Oxford 
Church is noticed at the right of the pike, on Church 
J^oad, and just beyond is Fox Chase, a village that 
combines the quaint charm of the old with the enter- 
prise of the new. There are two ancient hotels here 
with many touches of Colonial times about them. 
Of special interest in the vicinity of Fox Chase is 
beautiful Burholme, the country seat of the late 
Robert AValn Eyers, which Avill soon become a part 
of the city park system. It reminds one of an English 
country seat. A long graveled avenue, bordered with 
fine trees, leads up the hill to the mansion, which is 
built upon a foundation of solid rock. This extensive 
estate is the beginning of the Chelten Hills. Stakes 
were driven in the high ground surrounding the man- 
sion when the Southern troops were feared before the 
battle of Gettysburg. 

On the return trip down Second Street Pike a 
direct run may be made through Lawndale, Olney 
and Feltonville, down Fifth Street to Rising Sun 
Lane, and out Rising Sun Lane to Broad Street. 



KeaDing anD tfte ^cftuplkill i?aUep< 



Distance feom Philadelphia. 

Fifty-tAvo miles direct by Eeading and Perkiomen Pike. 
One hundred and ten miles will cover return and views of 
Reading. Many interesting side-trips of from ten to thirty 
miles will prove alluring. 

EOUTE. 
Out the Reading Pike by way of Germantown, Chestnut Hill, 
Norristown. Collegeville and Pottstown. Return by same di- 
rect route when time must be considered. For leisurely touring 
return by extending run from Reading to Ailentown, and home 
by way of Quakertown, Perkasie, Hatfield, Lansdale and the 
Bethlehem Pike to Chestnut Hill. 

EOADS. 
Good, hard pike roads, with a few stony stretches in vicinity 
of Reading. 

AYhat to See. 

Ancient inns of Pottstown. 

Historic bridges over the Schuylkill River and Manatawny 
Creek. 

Iron works on the Manata^Auy. 

The famous Potts residence. 

The PottstoM'n Fair Grounds. 

Founderies and silk mills of Bramcote. 

Famous sites, relics and homesteads of Reading. 

JNIodern industries of Reading. 

Scenic beauties of Penn's ]\lount and the Neversink ]Moun- 
tain. 

Noted hotels on the mountain summits. 

Numerous inns of stagre -coach davs along the old Pike. 



ReaDing anD tfte ®cj)uplkill l^alleg* 



Along the Rippling River, by Peaceful Canals, and Venturesome 
Climbing Up Steep Mountain Roadways. 



An auto trip to Reading should be planned for a 
vacation trip, or a time of special leisure, when sev- 
eral days may be alloAved for the outing. The run 
from Philadelphia to Reading may be made to cover 
only a little over a hundred miles, including the re- 
turn trip, and several interesting side trips in the 
vicinity of Xorristown, Bridgeport, Swedeland, etc., 
and may readily be included in a single day's journey, 
if the run is the main feature, with short pauses at 
places (if modern and historic renown. There are 
fcAV automobilists, however, who have made their 
first trip to Reading with the idea of returning the 
same or the following day, who have not re- 
gretted their failure to allow extra time for side trips 
over the mountain roads and along the beautiful 
waterways in the vicinity of Reading. For instance, 
a run from Reading to Kutztown, a distance of about 
tAventy miles, and on to AllentoA\m, about forty miles, 
with a return trip by a more roundabout way (making 
somewhat over eighty miles between Reading and 
Allentown), will be well worth an extra day's jour- 
ney, the sightseeing taking more time than the mile- 
age. Or the trip from Reading to Harrisburg, a dis- 
tance of about fifty-two miles, may be made before 

43 



44 Cfte automotiile Coumt* 

the return to Philadelphia; or the still more inter- 
esting run from Reading to Lancaster, by way of 
Adamstown and Ephrata, will take the tourist 
through quaint communities, and towns and villages 
of old-world aspect, among the Shakers and Amish 
and the Mennonites. 

The provision of an extra tire, and a quantity of 
tire taj^e, will be a udse precaution, as many of the 
roads in the vicinity of Reading, while considered 
among the best pike roads in the State for other driv- 
ing, play havoc with rubber tires because of the stone 
roadbed — not the loose stones of a macadamized 
road, which are pushed aside by the broad tires with 
little injury, but the firm rocks of the natural road- 
bed deeply embedded, with their harsh projections 
immovable. 

PIKES FAMOUvS vSINCE CONESTOGA DAYS. 

With the exceptions of these rocky stretches the 
pike roads of this section are uniformly good. In 
fact, the excellent pikes, as well as the beautiful 
mountain scenery, and picturesque canals, have made 
this section of the State popular for tourists since 
the days of conestoga wagons. It is claimed that the 
earliest internal impro^'ements which brought Berks 
County into direct communication with other sec- 
tions of the State were the three great turnpike 
roads, namely, the Reading and Perkiomen, from 
Philadelphia to Reading, fifty-two miles; the Cen- 



Cfte Scftuplkill C^allep* 45 

tei'j an extension of the former, from Reading to Snn- 
burv, eighty-two miles; and the Berks and Danphin, 
from Reading to Harrisburg, fifty-two miles. These 
highways have been preserved in good repair at a 
very small annnal expenditure, and attest the wis- 
dom and engineering skill of the old surveyors by 
whom they were constructed. The turnpikes were 
succeeded by the canals, of which the Union Canal is 
the oldest, having been projected in 1821, and opened 
to navigation in 1S26. It commences at MiddletowTi, 
on the Susquehanna, and enters the Schuylkill at 
Reading. The Schuylkill Canal, although projected 
at a later date, was completed about the same time. 
It extends from Port Carbon, in the Schuylkill coal 
region, follows the course of the river do^^m through 
Reading, and terminates at Fairmount, Philadel- 
phia, its wdiole length beiiig one hundred and eight 
miles. The combination of canal and river and moun- 
tain scenery, intersected by pike roads, makes the 
tours in the vicinity of Reading ideal, aside from the 
historic interest of surrounding toAvns and villages. 

The route from Philadelphia to Sanatoga and 
Pottstown is familiar to those who have taken the 
popular run to Ringing Rocks. On approaching 
PottstoAvn a turn to the left will lead to Sanatoga 
Park. On the right the famous Hill School for Boys 
is noticed. The buildings stand on a high hill, sur- 
rounded by fine grounds. The imposing buildings of 
the Pottstown Iron Company are noticed on the left 



46 



Cbe automoliile Coun0t* 



as we approach the center of the town. Pottstown 
enjoys the distinction of being the first laid-out town 
in Montgomery County, having been surveyed and 
designed for a city by John Potts in 1753, thus ante- 
dating' Xorristown over thirty years. like his ffreat 
exemplar, William Penn, he placed the streets at 
right angles and in line with the cardinal points, and 
High or Main Street in Pottstown, like Market 
Street, Philadelphia, was laid out nearly a hundred 
feet wide. 




PERKIOAEEX BRIDGE AT COLLECiEVILLE. 

Many famous old taverns have been noted in Potts- 
town since the days of early stage-coaching. The Kis- 
ing Sun Inn, Avhose history goes back to 1776, stood 
at the southeast corner of Main and York Streets. 
The Reading mail stage for Philadelphia stopped 
there four times every week. This subsequently l)e- 
came one of the most noted stage-stands in the upper 
part of the county. It is claimed that Washington 
stopped at this inn during his two visits to Pottstown 
— once in 1777, when his troops were encamped in 



the neighborhood, and again in 1794, when on his 
way to suppress the Whiskey Insurrection. Opposite 
this inn, near the beginning of the last century, there 
was another public house, wdiose sign was the 
" Swan," afterwards changed to " Wasliington," and 
later to the " Farmers' Hotel." Before the introduc- 
tion of railroads stage lines did an important busi- 
ness here. In 1794 the Reading stage started from 
the White Swan, in Race Street, Philadelphia, on 
Wednesdays and Fridays, and this line, in its upward 
trip, remained over night in Pottstown. William 
Coleman, in 1804, became the proprietor and driver 
of the Reading mail stage, starting from the " White 
Swan " every Tuesday and Friday, and passing 
through i^orristown, Trappe and Pottstown. Mr. 
Coleman put on an extra line in the summer of 1811, 
leaving the Rising Sun Tavern, of Pottstown, every 
Tuesday morning, at six o'clock, and arriving in 
Philadelphia in the evening, returning from the 
White Swan on Thursday mornings at the same 
hour, and reaching Pottsgrove or Pottstown in the 
evening, the fare being $2.25. In 1830 the Read- 
ing and Pottsville stages arrived daily. A tri-weekly 
stage line was established in 1828, starting from the 
Union Hotel of Pottstown to Kimberton, by which 
route passengers coidd also proceed to Philadelphia, 
or to Lancaster, Pittsburgh and the AYest. 

There is a peculiar fascination for the automobilist 
in studvine; the old sta^-e lines of a centurv or more 



48 Cf)e Slutomo6ile Couri^t 

ago, and visiting the historic inns from which they 
made their start, while comparing the speed and the 
conveniences of the ancient coaches with that of the 
modern road car. There are several fine bridges in 
Pottstowm. The oldest is the stone bridge at the 
western end of the borough, over which the Perkio- 
men and Reading tnrnpike passes. It w^as com- 
menced in 1S04 and completed in 180(3. The bridge 
over the Schnylkill at Hanover Street was built in 
1819, SAvept away by the great freshet of 1850, and 
rebuilt, five feet higher, in 1852. 

ON THE MANATAWNY. 

The Reading Railroad crosses the Manatawny a 
short distance below the turnpike by a substantial 
stone bridge of five arches, ten hundred and seventy- 
one feet in length. The turnpike leads through many 
charming bits of scenery in the vicinity of these 
waterw^ays. Iron works and a forge were established 
on the Manatawny as early as 1717. The historic 
Mill Park Hotel is noticed on the right after cross- 
ing the creek. This w^as built by John Potts in 1753. 
It w^as originally used as his residence, and at that 
time w^as the wonder and pride of all the country 
round about. The Pottstown Fair Grounds are also 
noticed on the right of the pike, and just beyond 
these stands an ancient homestead which is said to 
have been used as a hospital during the Rebellion. 
The scenery all alone: the creek is fine. For miles the 



creek winds around among the hills, through farm 
and meadow land, and mountains are soon noticed in 
the distance. After passing Stowe, Bramcote is 
reached, with its many foundries and silk mills. The 
scenery becomes more mountainous, and increases in 
beauty on approaching Reading, and many fine old 
inns are passed on the way all along the pike. 

READING'S BEAUTIFUL SITUATION. 

Reading is the seat of justice of Berks County. It 
was named after the ancient borough of Reading and 
market-town of Berkshire in England, Avhich it is said 
to resemble in some of its geographical environs. It 
was laid out in the fall of 1748 by the agents of Rich- 
ard and Thomas Penn, then Proprietaries of the 
Province of Pennsylvania. Settlers were invited to it 
^' as a new town of great natural advantages of loca- 
tion, and destined to become a prosperous place." 
The original settlers were principally Germans, who 
had emigrated from Wirtemberg and the Palatinate, 
although a few Friends who settled here under 
the patronage of the Penns had control of the govern- 
ment prior to the Revolution. Tor many years the 
German tongue was almost exclusively spoken. 

Reading is beautifully situated, on the eastern 
bank of the Schuylkill River, fifty-two miles east 
(fifty-four by railroad) of Harrisburg, and fifty-two 
miles northwest (fifty-eight by railroad) of Philadel- 
phia. It is built upon a plain sloping gently from 
4 



Penn's Mount, an eminence on the eastern side, to 
the river. Penn's Mount is of special interest to the 
autoniobilists who delight in hill climbing by easy 
grades, but even more attractive is the beautiful 
Xeversink ^Mountain of East Peading. Xow that a 
trolley line has been built to wind round and round 
the mountain, to the ^eversink ^loimtain House on 
its summit, there is a safe roadway for the auto tour- 
ist, who has the advantage of being able to stop at 
will, and enjoy the nnigniiicent views disclosed with 
each curve of the ascent. The approach to j^ever- 
sink mountain is one of exquisite beauty. After pass- 
ing through a charming valley, and rounding a horse 
shoe curve, Carsonia is reached, with its pleasure 
park, on approaching the mountain. Then, after 
passing through a beautiful strip of woodland the 
wonderful " I^eversink " is reached, and the roadway 
is entered that winds around the mountain. After 
enjoying a series of views of the city of Peading, 
which lies beneath on our upward climb, the moun- 
tain views increase in beauty with each turn of the 
puffing road car. Spread out beneath us, on every 
side, is an exquisite and constantly changing pano- 
rama of hill and valley, canal and river and wood- 
land. 

As we wind higher up the mountain, the White 
House Hotel is passed, perched high on the moun- 
tain side and overlooking a beautiful view. Then the 
roadway winds through a woods, and the scenery be- 



52 Clje automoliile Couti^t* 

comes wilder, with only the trees to be seen far below. 
Then another magnificent view bursts upon the sight, 
with the Welsh Mountains visible in the distance. 
From this view the Centennial Springs Hotel is seen 
as in an abyss: and we continue to climb, constantly 
winding, until a height of 1,100 feet is reached. 
From this height, on one side of the mountain, we 
get a birds-eye view of Reading; on the other side 
there is a magnificent view of the Schuylkill Valley, 
with the river winding through it like an S, and three 
railroad bridges (the Reading Railway is on one side 
of the river and the Pennsylvania on the other), 
while the narrow w^aterway and the picturesque locks 
of the canal give an additional touch of beauty, 
stretching out its sinuous length through meadow 
and woodland far in the distance. 

The thrill and exhilaration of the mountain climb, 
and the grandeur of its succession of panoramic 
views, is replaced by more prosaic attractions as we 
descend again into the valley fragrant with sweet 
fern, and enter the city of Reading from the !N^ever- 
sink side of the town, where historic interests clus- 
ter. One of the few houses of ante-revolutionary 
date, which still stands as a monument to the colonial 
era of Reading, is a two-storj^ stone building on 
the northeast corner of the public square, at 
Fifth and Penn Streets, now occupied by the 
Farmers' National Bank. It was erected in 
1764, and was originally kept as a public house 



or inn. Tradition states that Washington was 
entertained here when on his Avay to join the troops 
which Avere called out to suppress the Whiskey In- 
surrection, and this incident has been so w^ell authen- 
ticated that it may be set down as a fact. The build- 
ing had few alterations or improvements, but w^as 
well preserved in nearly its primitive form wdien it 
entered its new^ field of usefulness as a bank. 

LANDMARKS OF READING PIKE. 

The return trip may be made by way of one of the 
side trips from Reading, if desirable, without retrac- 
ing any part of the run. For instance, if the tour is 
extended from Reading to Allentown, the home run 
may be made by way of Quakertown, Perkasie, Sel- 
lersville, Souderton, Hatfield, Lansdale, and the 
Bethlehem Pike to Chestnut Hill. If, however, the 
return route is direct from Reading to Chestnut Hill, 
the Reading and Perkiomen Pike should again be 
traversed. The river and valley road, on the oppo- 
site side of the Schuylkill, may prove alluring at the 
start, and promise change of scenery; but it is muddy 
in wet w^eather, dusty in dry, and always stony and 
rough in many long stretches over the hill slopes. It 
will be interesting to note the many ancient inns that 
are passed when making the direct journey along the 
pike from Reading to Chestnut Hill. Historic inns 
have the aspect of hospitable old country road 
houses between Reading and PottstoAATi, as they 



54 Cfje autnmotiile Couri0t 

stand alone along the pike, withont surrounding vil- 
lages or towns. On approaching Pottstown a stop at 
one of the hotels, for filling the water tank, will call 
foi-th a crowd of inquisitive onlookers, who still con- 
sider an automobile an object of curiosity. At 
Trappe two ancient inns of Eevolutionary fame are 
passed, known as the old Lamb Hotel and the Lower 
Hotel of Trappe. At Collegeville the historic Per- 
kiomen Bridge Hotel is of special interest. While 
between Collegeville and ^orristown are found the 
quaint old Eagleville tavern, the Trooper Hotel and 
the JeflPersonville Lm. ]\Iany traditions cluster 
around the latter. 




EAGLEVILLE HOTEL ON THE READING PIKE. 



cangf)t0toiim anD it0 Q^onument 



Distance feom Philadelphia. 

Thirty-six miles by AVillow Grove and Uoylestown route; 40 
miles by Xewtown and Bristol Pike route. Seventy -six miles 
will cover attractive circuitous route. 

KOUTE. 

Out Old York Road to Willow Grove; thence by way of 
Doylestown, Bushington, Forest Grove, Wycombe and Penn's 
Park to W^rightstown. Return by way of Ryan's Corner, New- 
town, Bridgetown, Langhorne, Huhneville, Midway, Bristol, 
Torresdale, Holmesburg and Frankford, 

Roads. 

Good to Doylestown; fair from Doylestown to Bristol; good 
from Bristol to Philadelphia. 

What to See. 

Landmarks of Horsham, Warrington and Bridge Point, be- 
tween Willow Grove and Doylestown. 

" Early implement " display at Doylestown. 

Landmarks and famous old pike roads of Doylestown Town- 
ship. 

Picturesque ^Vycombe Mill Creek and Wycombe pleasure 
park. 

Old Anchor Tavern near Penn's Park. 

Historic Friends' Meeting House at Wrightstown and ancient 
burying-ground. 

Old hostelries and toll-gate at Wrightstown. 

Monument at the starting-point of the famous " Walking 
Purchase." 

Landmarks of Newtown, and church where Hessian prisoners 
were confined. 

The famous George School. 

Bucks County Country Club. 

The Richardson Homestead at Langhorne. 




WRIGHTSTOWN MONUMENT OF WALKING PURCHASE FAME. 



2ffltigJ)t$toUjn anD It$ 99onument 



The Town of " Walking Purchase " Fame, with Surroundings of 
Mountains and Creeks, Visited by a Circuitous Route. 



An auto run to AVrightstown may be made within 
a thirty-six mile limit direct from Philadelphia, by 
way of Willow Grove, J3oylestown, Bushington, For- 
est Grove, Wycombe and Penn's Park. The return 
trip by a different route should include the forty-mile 
journey by way of Ryan's Corner, Xewtown, Bridge- 
toAvn, Langhorne, Hulmeville, Midway, Bristol, Tor- 
resdale, Plolmesburg and Frankford. This distance 
will allow for slight detours for visiting famous inns 
and historic homesteads a little off from the main 
thoroughfares, and many short side trips may be 
taken that will bring the run somewhat over the 
hundred-mile limit. For instance, the side trip to 
Ottsville — about eleven miles from Doylestown, by 
way of DyerstoAvn, Danboro, Plumsteadville, Pipers- 
ville and Toiiickon Park — will be of special interest 
because of the monument marking the first stop in 
the celebrated '' Walking Purchase," standing near 
the Ottsville Hotel, which is over two hundred years 
old. This will appeal to the traveler after viewing 
the Wrightstown monument marking the starting 
point of the famous Walking Purchase made by 
Penn's heirs in 1737. 

57 



58 ct)c automobile Coumn 

The York Jvoad route to Willow Grove is described 
in the chapters on Fox Chase, Cheltenham and Hat- 
boro. At Willow Crove take left fork in front 
of Park to Horshamville, Warrington, Bridge 
Point and Dovlestown, twenty-six miles from 
Philadelphia. Little Xeshaminy Creek, near 
Horsham, and Big ZSTeshaminy Creek, above War- 
rington, provide a succession of attractive views, and 
noteworthy trees are found along the route. At War- 
rington is a tall pine tree, claimed to be not only the 
tallest, but the oldest of any tree in the vicinity. It 
is a noble monarch of the original forest, and can be 
seen ten or twelve miles away, as it stands on the 
highest point of land in Bucks County. The historic 
inn, now known as the Warrington Hotel, dates back 
to about 1750. 

DOYLESTOWN. 

On reaching Doylestown a visit to the courthouse 
is one of the first attractions for the sightseer, be- 
cause of the unusual collection of relics and early 
implements of Pennsylvania householders and farm- 
ers, there on exhibition. The whole area of Doyles- 
town and vicinity is in view from the top of the 
courthouse cupola, showing a rolling and diversified 
surface, with the spurs of Iron Hill breaking it along 
its nortliwest boundary, and the winding branch of 
the ^eshaminy and its tributaries, supplying power 
for various mills. 



DOYLESTOWN'S GOOD ROADS. 

From this view the tourist may also obtain an idea 
of the allurements of numerous side trips from 
Doylestown, over ancient thoroughfares leading to 
famous landmarks, as the whole of Doylestown 
Township is intersected by numerous roads, many of 
which have been turnpiked. The two oldest which 
still remain highways are the Easton road, laid out 
in 1723 from the county line to Dyerstown, and that 
from the York Road at Centreville to the Schuylkill 
at Xorristown. The former was called the Dyer's 
Mill Road, and the latter the Xorth Wales Road for 
many years, and they intersect each other nearly at 
right angles in the heart of the village of Doylestown. 
The road from Doylestown to the York Road, above 
Bridge Valley, was laid out in 17(34. In 1752 a road 
was laid out through what is now Doylestown, but 
then Warwick, and merging into the ^N^ewtown or 
Swamp Road just below ^'' Pool's Corner." This 
road crosses the turnpike at '^ The Turk," and the 
I^eshaminy at Deep Ford. 

The Swamp Road, which forms the northeast 
boundary of Doylestown, and runs through Quaker- 
to^vn into Milford Township, was laid out in 1737, 
and was then called the ^Newtown Road. In 1752 a 
road was laid out from the Easton Road just above 
" The Turk " (as the popular old road house beyond 
Edison was called), to the Lower State Road. The 
auto tourist will find it difficult to choose the most 



<30 



Cfte automobile Coumt, 



desirable route, and may wisely decide to allow a 
longer time for the trip, and include a run over the 
majority of these old roadways, and thus enjoy many 
^;ide trips before continuing to Wrightstown. 

On the main road to Wrightstown Bushington is 
the first village passed. Just beyond is Forest Grove, 
where there is a fine view to the left, and then 
Wycombe Mill Creek is crossed, at the village of 
Wycombe, with its pleasure park for picnics. The 
tourist finds himself in one of the oldest of the many 
settlements in this section on reaching the next little 
village known as Penn's Park. The original Penn's 
Park was laid off in 1695. It was a tract of land one 




ANCHOR HOTEL OF WRIGHTSTOWN. 



mile square, surveyed and designed as the site for a 
town, but the town never realized the dream of its 
founders. •' The Anchor," one of the most famous 
of old-time taverns in central Bucks County, is a 
short distance from Penn's Park, and the drives in 
this vicinity give attractive views of the Buckingham 
Mountains. 

WRIGHTSTOWN LANDMARKS. 

At Wrightsto^m many interests center in the 
vicinity of the old meeting house. The first meet- 
ing of Friends was held at John Chapman's in 1686. 
Meetings were held at private houses until 1721, 
when Falls Quarterly gave permission to Wrights- 
toA\ai to build a meeting house, which was erected on 
a four-acre lot, the gift of John Chapman. 

The quaint saying that Wrightstown was called 
after a " runagadoe " excites the curiosity of the 
questioner seeking information in regard to the nam- 
ing of the place. An odd letter has been brought to 
light which explains its meaning — a letter written by 
Phineas Pemberton to William Penn, in England,, 
dated 27th, 11th month, 1687. He says: 

" The land I have in Wrightstown is twelve hun- 
dred ackers, and only one settlement upon it. I lately 
offered to have given one hundred ackers if he wold 
have seated there, and he has since bought one hun- 
dred at a very great price, rather than go so far into 
the woods. There is about five hundred ackers yet 



02 ^f}t automobile Couri0t» 

to take up in the towne. The people here about are 
much disappointed with sd. Wright and his cheating 
tricks he phiyed here. They think much to call it 
after such a nmagadoe's name. He has not been in 
these partes several yeares, tlierefore desire thee to 
give it a name. I have some times called it Center- 
towne, because it lyes neare the center of the county, 
as it may be supposed and the towne is layd out w'h a 
center in the middle of six hundred ackers or there- 
about." 

The Wright referred to in Mr. Pemberton's letter 
is thought to have been Thomas Wright, who was 
associated with William Penn in the West Jersey 
venture. William Penn did not see fit to change the 
name of Wrightstown, although it was called after a 
^' runagadoe.'' 

The little old toll gate at Wright stown is an inter- 
esting relic that has long been associated with the 
good condition of the roads in the township. The 
interest in good roads began very early in this dis- 
trict. The spirit of improvement set in about 1720. 
The opening of a portion of the Durham Road down 
toward the lower Delaware, and the one now known 
as the Middle Poad, leading from Philadelphia to 
^ew Hope, which meets the former at the Anchor 
tavern, near the center of the township, destroyed its 
isolated situation, and encouraged a number of new 
settlers to take up land and establish village improve- 
ments. 



The most interesting spot in Wrightstown, and one 
that shonld l)e visited by every tonrist, is the old 
burial ground of the Friends' meeting house, where 
some of the most famous of the Quaker preachers of 
the past have been buried, and the historic surround- 
ings made famous by some of the most absorbing in- 
cidents of the early civil history of this country, and 
also one of the first departures from that policy of 
strict honesty and fairness Avhich distinguished the 
dealings of William Penn and his heirs with the In- 
dians, now known as the '^ Walking Purchase." 

A FAMOUS MONUMENT. 

In the corner of this old graveyard there stands a 
rough stone monument, where once stood a wide- 
spreading chestnut tree, that over a century and a 
half ago sheltered a remarkable company of Avhite 
men and Indians. They had assembled there for the 
:Start on the historic walk which had been agreed 
upon to determine the extent of the purchase made 
by William Penn of the J.enni-Lenape, or Delaware 
Indians, fifty years before. 

After standing for a century and a half as a land- 
mark of that historic region, the old chestnut tree fell 
a victim to time, and the Bucks County Historical 
Society placed on the spot a time-enduring monu- 
ment, and had inscribed on the large boulder which 
forms part of the pedestal this inscription : 




HISTORIC WRIGHTSTOWN MEETING HOUSE. 




BURYING GROUND AT WRIGHTSTOWN MEETING. 



TO THE MEMORY OF 

THE LEXXI-LEXAPE IXDIA^tS, 

ANCIENT OWNERS OF THIS REGION, 
THESE STONES ARE PLACED AT THIS SPOT, 
THE STARTING POINT OF THE "INDIAN WALK," 
SEPTEMBER 19, 1787. 

It was in 168G that William Pemi bought from 
the Lenni-Lenape Indians a section of land bounded 
on the east by the Delaware River, on the west by 
E'eshaminy Creek, and extending to the north from 
his previous purchase " as far as a man can go in a 
day and a half.'' 

THE "WALKING PURCHASE." 

William Penn never took any steps toward fixing 
the northern boundary of this purchase, nor did his 
sons, after his death, until the Indians, disturbed by 
the steady encroachments of the white settlers, asked 
to have the line fixed. On August 25th, 1737, there 
was a meeting in Philadelphia at which the Indians 
confirmed the purchase of 1G8G, and September 19th 
was agreed upon as the time for the beginning of the 
'" day and a half walk." It is noteworthy that in the 
bit of sharp practice which followed, by which the 
Indians were deprived of thousands of acres of land 
they had never intended to cede away, the most con- 
spicuous figure was Thomas Penn, a son of William 
Penn, who succeeded to his father's rights. 
5 



^C) CJ)e automobile Coutist 

Thomas Penn had offered. £5 in money and five 
hundred acres of land to the man who would make 
the greatest distance, and there were three contest- 
ants — James Yates, Solomon Jennings and Edward 
Marshall. A party of experienced hunters had been 
secretly sent out by Penn, to select the best and most 
direct route, and to blaze the trees along the way, so 
that the walkers w^ould lose no time unnecessarily. 
The Indians who liad been appointed by the Lenni- 
Lenape chiefs to accompany the walkers noticed the 
blazed trees, and the swiftness with which the walk 
was being pushed, and discovered the trick by which 
the white men meant to place the northern boundary 
of the purchase as far north as possible. They pro- 
tested that the treaty contemplated walking, not run- 
ning, but were reminded that the wording of the 
treaty was '' as far as a man can go." Their protests 
being of no avail, they tried to delay the progTcss by 
stopping to rest, but the white men who had accom- 
panied the walkers on horseback compelled the tired 
Indians to mount Avith them and ride. 

At last the Indians refused to go on any further, 
and the white men pushed on alone. One old Indian, 
who represented his people in a subsequent protest, 
said: 

" White man too much hurry; him no walk; him 
no sit down to rest and smoke; him no stop to shoot 
squirrel for dinner; him hm, lun, lun all day long." 

Before the Lehio'h Piver was reached, Jenninos 



dropped out of the contest exhausted, and Yates was 
unable to take up the hist half-day's walk. Yates 
only lived three days, and Jennings but a few years. 
Marshall, more experienced in such travel, remained 
comparatively fresh, and thus won the contest. He 
pressed on, accompanied L)y a number of mounted 
white men, and tradition has it that the contest over, 
and the prize being decided, and nothing remaining 
but to determine how far north Marshall could get 
before the end of the day and a half, and there being- 
no Indians as w^itnesses, Marshall was carried the 
gTeater part of the last half-day on the horses with 
other riders. 

Thus they progressed far beyond the last of the 
blazed trees, and when halt was called Marshall threw 
himself at full length and grasped a sapling, which 
became the point of the most northern boundary of 
the purchase of 1686. It was near Mauch Chunk, 
and twice as far north as the Indians expected it to 
be. Many interesting points along the line of this 
famous Indian Walk (which might be more appro- 
priately called a '' Marshall walk ") may be visited 
by the automobilist in following the general direction 
between Wrightstown and Mauch Chunk, where pike 
roads now take the place of unbroken forests. 

On making the return trip to Philadelphia from 
Wrightstown, by way of Xewtown, Langhorne and 
the Bristol Pike, the motorist will enjoy beautiful 
views of the ^eshaminy Creek. Kewtown, the next 



Qs Cfte automotiile Courist 

place of interest after leaving AVrightstown, was one 
of the most important points in the conntry dnring 
the Revolutionary AVar. It was, at one time, the 
headquarters of Washington. Several times troops 
\vere stationed there, and it was a depot for military 
stores. The captured Hessians were brought direct 
from Trenton to Xewtown the same day of the bat- 
tle, and the prisoners were confined in the Presby- 
terian Church. The place is said to have received its 
name from the remark of William Penn: ^' Here I 
will found my new town.'' The first house was built 
by Penn's personal orders. It was at one time the 
county seat, which was removed from Bristol, and a 
new court house erected in 1725. 

Joseph Archambault, for many years owner and 
keeper of the ancient Brick Hotel, was one of the 
noted characters of the town in early days. He was 
an ex-ofScer of the great Xapoleon. He was born at 
Fontainebleau, Prance, in 1796, became a ward of 
Xapoleon I., a page of the emperor, and one of the 
twelve of his attendants who were permitted to ac- 
company him to Sr. Helena. 

The famous George School, with its beautiful 
grounds of tAvo hundred and twenty-seven acres, is 
passed just beyond Xewtown. The school was estab- 
lished in accordance Avith the will of John M. George, 
of Overbrook, one of the noted George family, whose 
name is familiar to Philadelpliians by reason of its 
associations with Georo-e's Hill of Fairmount Park. 



After passing the Bucks County Country Club, 
another town is reached around Avhich clusters much 
interesting Eevolutionarv history and tradition. The 
place was originally known as Four Lanes' End, and 
it was afterwards given the name of Attleborough in 
1809, when the post office was established. When 
the Heading Railroad made a station here they called 
it Langhorne, and gradually the village has become 
known by that name, which is the most appropriate, 
for one of the earliest settlers was Jeremiah Lang- 
horne, an eminent jurist, and one of the chief jus- 
tices of the province. He was the son of Thomas 
Langhorne, wdio came over in 1684, and was a mem- 
ber of the first Assembly. There are many noted 
landmarks in Langhorne, among the oldest being the 
historic house bearing the date 1738, which was built 
by Joseph Richardson, who kept the first store in the 
place, and the only one at that time north of Bristol. 
It is said that all the woodwork in the ancient house 
was carved by hand. Another ancient homestead 
still standing was built in 1763, by Gilbert Hicks, 
who was High Sheriff of the comity in 1776, and an 
ardent Tory. The story is told of how he offended 
some of the patriots, after the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, by proclaiming the opening of the court in 
the name of the king. A large number of his oppo- 
nents gathered on the first day of the session, and he 
had sense enough to stay at home. Some of his 
friends minplino- in the crowd o-athered the drift of 







Cbe automobile Couri0t 



their intentions toward him, and when it was found 
the popular indignation was such as to endanger his 
life, a negro mounted on a swift horse was sent to 
warn him. Hicks fled from his home and remained 
hidden in the garret of a friend's house for several 
days, and then escaped to Kova Scotia. The house 
was used as a hospital during the Revolution. 




CELEBRATED INN AT WARRINGTON. 

The Xeshaminy Creek is again in view on the 
right, after leaving Langhorne, and after passing 
Hulmeville, a small toAvn laid out in 1799. Bath 
Creek is seen on the left on approaching Bristol. 
Bristol Pike will provide a swift home run for those 
who have become familiar with the nimierous land- 
marks of this ancient thoroughfare through previous 
auto trips. 



Cftrougf) iQeh) 31ec0ep to laeto gotk* 



Distance from Philadelphia. 

About one hundred and five miles by way of Bordentown and 
Trenton on the New Jersey route. Two or three miles saved 
by return over Bristol Pike, Pa. Two hundred and fifteen 
miles will cover return and side trips. 

Route. 

Take Market Street Ferry, Philadelphia, run out Market 
Street, Camden, and out ])elaware Avenue to Cooper Street and 
" forks of road." Take left fork to Cramer's Hill, Palmyra, 
Riverton, Riverside, Delanco, Beverly, Burlington, Bordentown, 
Trenton, Hamilton Square, Plainsboro, Dayton, New Bruns- 
wick, Bound Brook. Plainfield, Elizabeth, Newark and Jersey 
City. On return trip the route below Trenton may be taken 
by way of Tullytown, Morrisville and Bristol Pike. 

EOADS. 

A few sandy stretches, but mainly good hard road-bed, as 
the New Jersey State roads are proverbially fine. 

What to See. 

Boat-houses, clubs and pleasure craft of New Jersey towns 
and villages along the Delaware. 

Historic homesteads of Burlington. 

The famous Bonaparte Park of Bordentown. 

Quaint old Linden Hall, ruins of the Lake House. 

Various reminders of the ex-King of Spain in the Jersey 
home of the Bonapartes. 

Landmarks on the Trenton road. 

Old inns of Plainsboro and Kingston. 

Homesteads and old copper mines of New Brunswick. 

Picturesque glimpses of Raritan River and Orange Mountains 
while passing through the towns and villages on the way to 
Jersey City. 



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Cfttougf) J^eto 3I^r0ep to j^eto poxk. 



A Tour of Varied Scenic and Historic Interest That May be 
Made by Many Charming Routes. 



Of recent years it has become quite a fad for merry 
parties in tallv-lio coaches to make the trip from 
Philadelphia to ]^ew York, by way of the ancient 
stage coach routes, visiting the many famous old inns 
all along the way, Avhich were the popular stopping- 
places of the stages of colonial and Revolutionary 
days. The earliest of automobile tours between Xew 
York and Philadelphia followed the same route made 
popular by former merry-makers. Then road con- 
tests deprived the time-making automobilists of the 
delight of leisurely following stage coach routes, 
the principal ol)ject of the run being to make the best 
time over tlie shortest routes promising continuous 
stretches of good roadbed. The average auto tourist 
of to-day has a broader object in view than either of 
these in planning the popular run between the two 
cities. Pleasure is made the objective point in the 
outing — pleasure to be secured by al:»andoning at will 
schedule tiuie and direct thoroughfares; by roaming 
at will through picturesque country and interesting 
side towns; along winding canals, and among the 
Orange Mountains, by visiting famous sites and relics 
along various lines of march followed by the Eevo- 
lutionary armies; and by splendid spurts of speed 

73 



74 Cfte 3utomotJ{le Coun0t 

wherever open country and fine pikes prove irre- 
sistible. 

A CHOICE OF ROUTES. 

The outgoing and the return trip may be made by 
distinct routes throughout the entire journey if desir- 
able. Or by retracing the run through certain por- 
tions of the route the change may be made to include 
simply the places of special interest. If it is desir- 
able to follow the most ancient of the old thorough- 
fares between New York and Philadelphia, follow the 
Old York Eoad by way of Willow Grove, Hatboro, 
ITartsville, Bushington and Centreville, or take the 
pike that is not quite so old, but equally famous — 
the Bristol Pike — by way of Frankford, Holmesburg, 
Torresdale, Andalusia and Croydon, taking the river 
road at Bristol direct to Tullytown and Trenton. Or 
run to Trenton by one of the direct Jersey routes 
from Camden. The most direct route above Trenton 
is by way of Lawrenceville, forty-one miles from 
Philadelphia; Princeton, forty-eight miles; Kingston, 
Franklin Park and l^ew Brunswick, sixty-three miles; 
Metuchen, Rahway and Elizabeth, eighty-three miles; 
Newark and Jersey City, ninety-eight miles. 

Now that trolley routes have been completed so 
that it is possible to make the run from Philadelphia 
to New York, either by way of New Jersey or Penn- 
sylvania, as far as Trenton, many good stretches of 
roadway have been o})ened by the trolley companies 
that have heretofore been practically impassable for 



automobilists. Greater speed is also allowable along 
trolley lines in many instances. For these reasons it 
will prove interesting for the road-car parties to take 
advantage of the new roads for visiting places of in- 
terest and making side trips along the way, even when 
keeping to the direct pikes during the greater part of 
the run. 

Going by way of New Jersey, take the Market 
Street Ferry to Market Street, Camden, turn left on 
Delaware Avenue to Cooper Street, and turn right 
on Cooper Street to Twelfth, where Market Street 
joins Cooper. Continue out Market Street to forks 
of road. Take left fork to Cramer's Hill, and thence 
to Palmyra. Just beyond Palmyra is Kiverton, nine 
miles from Philadelphia, with its attractive country 
club house, and its boating clubs on the Delaware. 
Then come Riverside and Delanco, thirteen miles, and 
Beverly, fifteen and a half miles from Philadelphia. 
By taking Burlington Avenue at Delanco, there is a 
good pike road direct to Beverly. Edgewater Park 
is less than a mile from Beverly, and about three 
miles beyond Edgewater Park we reach Burlington, 
nineteen miles from Philadelphia. There are beauti- 
ful views of the Delaware River along many points of 
this run; and the majority of the towns show, by their 
club houses and their numerous pleasure boats, the 
\nterest of ]:)leasure seekers in this beautiful river. 

At Burlington many places of interest may be vis- 
ited — the birthplace of Captain James Lawrence, the 



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summer home of General E. Burd Grnbb, formerly 
lliiiister to Spain; the historic Gummere mansion, 
the General Grant cottage, the famous St. Mary's 
Episcopal Cliurch, the home of James Fenimore 
Cooper, and famous trees and landmarks of Green 
Bank. 

There are various manufacturing interests at Flor- 
ence, the next place of importance, about live miles 
beyond Burlington. Then Kinkora is passed, and 
White Hill, with many beautiful old country seats 
along the river at each little town. Xear White Hill 
is tlie farm where ^Irs. Charles StCAvart Parnell, the 
mother of the famous Irish parliamentarian, lived 
for several years. The place is now occupied as a 
colored home, but the house in which Mrs. Parnell 
was born has not been changed. It is a well-preserved 
landmark, greatly prized by the residents of the 
vicinity, ^[rs. Parnell was a daughter of Commodore 
Stewart, the American naval hero. 

HOMES OF EX-KING AND PRINCE. 

xVt Bordentown, about thirty miles from Philadel- 
phia, there are many famous landmarks, in the way of 
ancient country seats and Revolutionary inns, the 
popular Military Academy, and, most prominent of 
all, the noted Bonaparte Park, once the home of 
Joseph Bonaparte, the ex-king of Spain. The open- 
ing to the famous undergroimd passage still fronts 
the river, although the Bonaparte mansion, from 



78 ct)e automotJile Coun0t 

which it originally led, has been replaced by a mod- 
ern mansion bnilt by a later owner. The original 
home of Bonaparte w^as destroyed by fire, and the 
same fate has overtaken the '' Lake House/' as the 
home of his daughter Zenaide was known, because of 
its situation on a beautiful lake within the park 
limits. The Lake House was built by Joseph Bona- 
parte for his daughter, the Princess Zenaide, who 
married her cousin, Charles Lucien, Prince de 
Canino and Mu^ignano, son of Lucien Bonaparte. 
Prince Charles, with Princess Zenaide, joined the 
Count's family in America, where he gained a high 
rej^utation as an ornithologist; which Avas increased 
by his subsequent labors after his return to Italy, in 
1828. Li the Lake House Prince Charles had his 
famous cabinet of birds, insects, etc. During the 
preparation of " American Ornithology; or, The 
Natural History of the Birds of the L^nited States,'' 
by Alexander Wilson and Prince Charles Lucien 
Bonaparte, many famous naturalists visited the Lake 
House in Bonaparte Park, and for a time it was as 
noted as the im})osing palace of the ex-king in the 
center of the park. 

Quaint old Linden Hall, of Bordentown, which 
was constructed on the plan of an Italian villa, is 
still standing, although it is now divided into several 
distinct dwelling houses. This was the home of 
Prancis Lucien Charles Murat, the son of the brave 
and unfortunate floacliim Murat, the king of the two 



il3eto gorb* 



79 



Sicilies, and Caroline Bonaparte. Linden Hall has 
long been famous for the lavish hospitality of Prince 
Murat, or '' Prince Reckless/' as he was known in 
Bordentown, and his beautiful, dashing young wife, 
Caroline Fraser, daughter of Major Fraser, of 
Charleston, South Carolina. After an exciting 
early youth in Furope, ^' Prince Reckless '' flared like 




HOPKINSON HOMESTEAD OX THE TRENTOX ROAD. 

a sky-rocket on the decorous town, and his subse- 
quent career on the stage of Xew Jersey furnished 
more food for gossip in his day than the uneventful 
lives of many hundreds of old Bordentown residents 
now sleeping in the Christ Church graveyard. 

As many of the ancient homesteads — Linden Hall, 
the Hopkinson Homestead, Bonaparte Park, and the 



80 Cljc automotiile Coun0t 

famous old Crosswicks Creek, of Bordentown — are 
on the road to Trenton, and must be passed on the 
way, it will take very little extra time to visit these 
places of peculiar interest. Trenton is reached about 
nine miles beyond Bordentown, and just beyond, at 
McKonkey's Ferry, the ancient house may be visited 
where Washington had his headquarters after his 
famous '\ Crossing of the Delaware." The historic 
sites and sights of Trenton are so numerous, and so 
thronged with interest that they should be left until 
there is more time to do them justice, when a special 
trip to Trenton and Princeton will be w^ell worth a 
full day's journey. 

Passing on through Trenton, Hamilton Square,. 
Mercerville and Dutch Neck, we come to Plainsboro, 
about twenty miles from State and Hamilton 
Streets, Trenton. There are many places of historic 
interest in this vicinitv. The little A'illa£>'e of Kinos- 
ton, at the intersection of the Delaware and Raritan 
Canal with the Xew York and Philadelphia Turnpike, 
is well worth a side trip. Before the construction of 
railroads in Xew Jersey this was the great thorough- 
fare between New York and the South. It is stated 
by historians that forty-nine stages, loaded with about 
four hundred passengers, have halted here at the 
same time in front of Withington's inn. Directly 
opposite this inn stood, in olden times, Yantilburgh's 
tavern, long known as the favorite stopping place of 
Washington, and the governors of Xew Jersey, in 



passing from the eastern towns to the State capital. 
It was in this village that Washington, with the 
American troops, eluded the British, on the day of 
the Battle of Princeton, by filing off to the left at 
the church, down the narrow road leading to Rocky 
hill, while the enemy, in pursuit, supposing he had 
gone to ^N'ew Brunswick to destroy their winter 
stores, kept on the main road. 

OLD COPPER MINES OF NEW BRUNSWICK. 

Dayton and Milltown are passed before reaching 
New Brunswick, which is situated on the western 
bank of the Raritan. William Patterson, Governor 
of 'New Jersey, who was one of the most talented 
men whose names appear in the annals of the State, 
was a resident of NeAv Brunswick. He graduated at 
Princeton in 17(33. He was a member of the conven- 
tion which framed the Constitution of the United 
States. He was a Senator from New Jersey in the 
first Congress; w^as Governor of New Jersey in 1790, 
and was afterwards a judge of the United States 
Supreme Court. AVhen the British had possession of 
New Brunswick, the headquarters of their com- 
mander. General Howe, was at the mansion on Ber- 
nard Street, known as the Nelson homestead, the 
residence of Abraham S. Nelson. Valuable copper 
mines were discovered in New Brunswick as early as 
1748, when several lumps of virgin copper, from five 
to thirty pounds' weight, were ploughed up in a field 



82 



Cfte amomotJile Courist* 




MODERN MANSIOX IX CENTER OF BONAPARTE PARK. 

belonging to Philip French, Esq. The kncl was soon 
leased by speculators, with a view to searching for 
copper ore. A company was formed, and about the 
year 1751 a shaft Avas commenced in the low ground, 
three hundred yards from the river. The spot 
selected had been marked by a neighbor, who, pass- 
ing it in the dark, had observed a flame rising from 
the ground. At about fifteen feet the miners struck 
a vein of blue stone about two feet thick, between 
loose walls of red sandstone covered with a sheet of 
pure copper, somewhat thicker than gold leaf; the 
stone was filled with grains of virgin copper, much 
like copper filings, with occasional lumps of copper 



jaeto gorb* 83 

weigliing several pounds. Sheets of copper of the 
thickness of two pennies, and three feet square, have 
been taken from between the rocks within four feet 
of the surface, in several parts of the Xew Bruns- 
wick hills. These old copper mines now prove as in- 
teresting to sightseers as the historic homesteads of 
the i^lace. 

Bound Brook — beyond ]^ew Brunswick — was set- 
tled over a centurv and a half ago. It derived its 
name from the brook running east of the place. 
Originally the village was about a mile in length, and 
the upper part of it was called Middlebrook. In the 
winter of 1778-79 a portion of the Revolutionary 
Army was barracked in this vicinity. The headquar- 
ters of Washington were at Middlebrook. Plainfield, 
a few miles beyond, is also beautifully situated on a 
brook known as Green Brook. The land is fertile, 
and the surroundings beautiful, as the mountain 
about a mile north of the town screens the valley 
from the violence of the north and northwest winds. 
Prom the summit of this mountain a fine prospect is 
presented over a space of thirty miles. 

ALONG THE RARITAN RIVER AND ORANGE MOUNTAINS. 

Dunellen lies between Bound Brook and Plain- 
field. The run in this vicinity is especially charm- 
ing. The route lies along the Raritan River for some 
distance, and as it continues to Plainfield and beyond 
it runs parallel with the Orange Mountains for the 



84 CJ)e automobile Courisn 

greater part of the way and past Dewey Park. In 
fact, thronghont the run to Elizabeth, past the towns 
and villages of Fanwood, Westfield, Garwood, Cran- 
ford, Roselle and El Mora, the beautiful Orange 
Mountains on one liand and glimpses of shining 
waterways on the other, are the chief scenic attra<2- 
tions. Beautiful, staid old Elizabeth, with wide, 
shady streets and charming old homesteads, also 
glories in a magnificent background of mountains. 

Waverly is passed beyond Elizabeth, and Newark, 
the next town of importance, is also beautifully situ- 
ated on the west side of the Passaic Eiver, about 
three miles from its entrance into Newark Bay. The 
town possessed rather unique fame during the days 
of its early settlement. The fine old orchards of its 
surrounding farm lands were probably even more 
luxuriantly fruitful then than they are to-day, for 
Newark was very early celebrated for its cider. As 
early as 1082 Governor Carteret wrote to the pro- 
prietors in England: '^ At Newark are made great 
quantities of cider, exceeding any we can have from 
New England, Rhode Island or Long Island," wdiich 
is the fi.rst mention we find of this article in any of 
the old records. 

During the years 1745, 1746 and 1747 a great ex- 
citement existed in the vicinity of Newark, arising 
out of contentions between the settlers and the Eng- 
lish proprietors concerning the title to the lands. 
The settlers held under their Indian title, and refused 



to recognize any other. In 1745 and 1746 there were 
two great riots in Newark, in each of which the jail 
was broken open by large mobs, and the prisoners 
lield by suits in favor of the En<]!:lish proprietors were 
set at liberty. The ancient jail of the town, and the 
fertile fields of its snbnrbs, with their thrifty 
orchards, are still characteristic features of the 
famous old town. 




FAMOUS "LAKE IKil SK." OKSTROYLI) BY FIRE. 

At Jersey City take the ferry at foot of Montgom- 
ery Street for Cortlandt Street, Xew York. As the 
Jersey roads are uniformly good in this upper section, 
other towns may be visited on the return trip from 
Jersey City to Trenton; while the route l^elow 
Trenton may be made on the Pennsylvania side of 
the Delaware, by way of Tullytown, Morrisville and 
Bristol Pike. 




STOPPING FOB WATER. 



SDUer 15ti0tol Pike to Corre0DaIe. 



Distance from Philadelphia. 

Fifteen miles direct. About thirty-five miles to cover return 
and side trips. 

EOUTE. 

Out Broad Street, Kising Sun Lane, Fifth Street, Erie Ave- 
nue, Second Street, Xicetown Lane, Powder Mill Lane, Ortho- 
dox Street, Frankford Avenue and Bristol Pike. 

EOADS. 
Good. Mainly macadamized streets and smooth pike. 

AYhat to See. 

Commodore Decatur Homestead at Frankford. 

Ancient taverns on Bristol Pike. 

Washington House of stage-coach days at Holmesburg. 

Edwin Forrest Home. 

Pennypack Creek and noted bridges and mills. 

General A\'ayne Hotel near Torresdale. 

Historic country seats on the Delaware. 

Mammoth filter beds at Torresdale. 

Remains of Revolutionary " Bake House." 

Old shad fishing industry along the Delaware. 

New State hatcheries. 

Country Club grounds and old cemeteries on return. 

Colonial inns of Frankford. 




TOWEB OF FISHEB MANSION. BEMOVED BY FILTEB PLANT. 



S)Ut T5ri0tol pike to Corre0Dale» 



Filter Plant an Objective Point, with Old Inns, Historic Home- 
steads and Scenery as Additional Attractions, 



There is probably no more interesting run witliin 
fifteen miles of the heart of the city than Torresdale. 
Continuous good roads make it desirable for a short 
afternoon run. For a longer outing there are various 
side trips of interest in the vicinity of Holmesburg 
and along the Poquessing Creek. 

The greater part of the trip is over good pike road. 
The shortest route to Bristol Pike is to go north on 
Broad Street to Rising Sun Lane, turn right to Tifth 
Street, right to Erie .Vvenue, turn left to Second 
Street, turn left to Xicetown Lane, continue out 
Xicetown Lane to Powder Mill Lane and turn left to 
Orthodox Street, turn right to Frankford Avenue, 
and turn left to Bristol Pike. On Powder Mill Lane, 
just beyond Mcetown Lane, the old Commodore De- 
catur mansion is passed, and the site of the old pow- 
der mill owned by Captain Decatur, father of the 
commodore, previous to the Revolution. 

The Decatur mansion has long been noted as the 
home of the naval hero who did much towards carry- 
ing the glorv of our maritime prowess to the far cor- 
ners of the earth. According to the historians who 
have recounted innumerable exploits of this brilliant 
naval commander, the chief fame of Stephen Deca- 

89 



90 Cfte ^utomofiile Couri0t* 

till- rests largely on the outcome of an expedition 
into the Mediterranean in 1S04, when he exhibited 
the most devoted bravery. He also slew, after a spir- 
ited personal fight, the Turkish commander, who had 
murdered his brother, Lieutenant James Decatur. 
In 1806 the citizens of Philadelphia gave a splendid 
banquet to the hero of Tripoli, '^ the pride and honor 
of the nation's navy," and on December 10th, 1812, 
the Council of Philadelphia voted him a sword. One 
of his pet names at that time was " the Bayard of the 
sea." At the same time resolutions were adopted 
eulogistic of his gallant work in capturing the British 
frigate Macedonian. 

Decatur gained nnich fame by his magnificent 
operations against the Algerians in 1815. He made 
a satisfactory- bargain with the Dey of Algiers by 
blowing up the Algerine fleet, and then secured a 
treaty which provided that thenceforward no tribute 
was to be paid by the United States, all Americans 
were to be released from captivity, and no more w^ere 
to be enslaved. 

Bristol Pike is especially interesting at the season 
when the absence of summer foliage affords many 
pretty vistas ahead, and gives glimpses both to the 
right and left of fine residences surrounded by hand- 
some lawns and fine old trees. It is noted for being a 
well-kept, nicely-shaded road for summer travel, but 
many of the handsome residences and historic land- 
marks are hidden bv the summer shade. The old 



®t3er ieti0tol Pike* oi 

pike itself is historic, it being the first road legally 
laid out in the Province of Pennsylvania, being 
authorized in 1686. 

That the old Bristol Pike was a well-traveled high- 
way in '^ ye goode olde days " is proven by the many 
old inns still standing all along the route, and by the 
weather-worn milestones which are passed. The tour- 
ist has a choice of many old-time hostelries in which 
refreshment may be f omid and supper ordered, in the 
same old rooms in which Washington and Lafayette 
dined. The old Green Tree Tavern is one of the first 
to be passed. It stands on the left, at the southwest 
corner of Bristol Pike and old Delaware Avenue, 
which is now known as Rhawn Street. Aaron Van- 
dyke, who owned the Woodfield farm, which 
became the Fox farm, opposite the Forrest 
Home, sold the lot on which the Green Tree 
Hotel was built to Humphrey Watterman, in 1799. 
This inn was the favorite stopping place for the old 
Conestoga wagons. 

Just beyond the Green Tree, at the right of the 
pike, is a still older inn, the original tavern of Wash- 
ingtonville, known as the Washington House. It was 
erected in 1796. At that time steamboats were 
vying with stages. The Washington House was a 
favorite resort for the city people, especially during 
the summer. It was reached by steamboat, and there 
being no wharf, the passengers were transferred to 
the shore by small boats. It w^as also a prominent 



92 



CJ)e automobile Couri^t* 




THE COMMODORE DECATUR HOMESTEAD. 



stopping place for stage coaches and private travelers 
between New York and Philadelphia. It was the 
first regular breakfasting and changing place on the 
ronte, and of considerable bustle and importance in 
the neighborhood. Lafayette Avas given a reception 
here in 1824. The proprietors of such hotels in those 
times were generally prominent citizens. Washing- 
ton is said to have stopped here on fox hunting trips. 
The creek near the old log house at the bridge is said 
to have been a place for watering his horse, and he is 
reported to have spent a night at the old log house on 
one of his marches. 



©tier lBti0taI pike* 93 

REVIVING OLD TIMES. 

On the -ith of May, in 1878, the tally-ho clubs of 
'New York and Philadelphia revived old times by 
driving over the old route and stopping at the old 
inns all along the pike. The last stage was from the 
Washington House to the heart of Philadelphia. 
The bugle blew as of yore, and many fine turnouts 
were around the ancient inn. Now the automobile 
clubs of Philadelphia and New York delight in fol- 
lowing the example of the tally-ho clubs in taking the 
time-honored route and stopping at the historic inns 
of Bristol Pike. 

Holmesburg is twelve miles from the heart of the 
city, and the distance may easily be made in an hour, 
ahhough the lawful speed limit is less than this the 
greater part of the way. There is little travel on 
Bristol Pike during the autumn and winter seasons, 
and as the scattered villages are at some distance 
apart, and the trolleys pass swiftly along the route, 
an excess of speed limit is allowable, although still 
within the city proper, and it is possible to make the 
entire distance of fifteen miles to Torresdale within 
the hour if desirable. It is much more satisfactory, 
however, to allow double the actual running time 
required to visit historic landmarks, and make sev- 
eral side trips both to the right and left of the pike, 
for famous old mills on the many small creeks of the 
vicinity flowing into the Delaware. 



94 Cfte automobile Coiin0t 

Bevond Holmesburs: — which was known as Wash- 
ington, or Washingtonville, previous to 1801 — one 
begins to catch occasional glimpses of the Delaware 
River. On the right of the pike, above Cottam 
Street, locallv known as ToAvnship Line, is the Edwin 
Forrest Home. This was originally the great actor's 
country seat, and was bequeathed by him as a home 
for his fellow players. Ample grounds surround the 
Forrest Home, wdiich was known as Spring Brook, 
from a crystal spring which traverses the grounds. 
Standing well back from the pike, with a fine lawn 
and beautiful trees in. front, is the large yellow three- 
storied mansion, surmounted by an observatory. 

The Pennypack Creek is crossed just beyond 
Holmesburg, the bridge having been built early in 
the last century. General Wayne Hotel is passed 
on the left just before reaching Torresdale. 

A VIEW OF THE FILTER BEDS. 

On approaching Torresdale the Dela^vare River is 
only a short distance from the pike. Turn to the 
right on any of the many good roads leading down to 
the river, and in view of the immense filtering beds. 

The great area of the filter plant at Torresdale 
has made this one of special interest among the many 
plants of the new^ water system. From the time work 
was commenced on tiiis big operation curious visitors 
and sightseers have flocked to Torresdale at all sea- 
sons of the year, and the interest increases as they 



96 Cf)e automobile Couri$t 

are nearing completion, with various portions of the 
big plant showing the finished operation. As the 
work is completed the filter beds or chambers, ex- 
tending along the level of the surrounding ground, 
are being covered with grass, either by sodding or 
seeding, as the case may require. 

The filter beds are built partly in the ground and 
partly above it, the portion seen above the level being- 
five or six feet in lieight, according to the conditions 
existing at each station. This method saves consid- 
erable excavation in building the beds, and there is 
no danger of freezing. It gives, also, a slightly in- 
creased elevation to the beds, wdiich is in ma^iy 
instances desirable as giving a greater level in the 
handling of the water. 

At Torresdale the area covered by these beds 
amounts to sixty-five acres, there being sixty-five 
beds, each of these three-fourths of an acre, with the 
remaining fourtli taken up in the arrangement. Such 
a group of beds, when fully covered with sod, looks 
like a raised embankment, and except for its great 
width, suggests defensive fortifications. Few stran- 
gers who view it would know, without being told, 
that this raised surface has below it the beds in which 
the processes of water filtering are going on. 

Each bed is covered by a vaulting arch roof, made, 
like the bottom and sides, of concrete, and in the cen- 
ter of each roof is a ventilator and manhole, by 
means of wliich the bed mav be entered whenever it 



©t3er 13ri0tol pike* 97 

is desirable to clean it. These manholes come np to 
the surface, of course, through the layers of earth 
and sod, above the chamber. When being cleansed 
or examined the beds are lighted by electricity. The 
sodding of the top of the beds is a part of the filter 
contract. Any further adornment in the way of 
flowers or landscape gardening which may be decided 
upon must be imdertaken by the city itself; and it is 
prophesied that the filter beds of Torresdale will re- 
ceive special attention in ornamental landscape gar- 
dening when the new Torresdale boulevard is 
finished. 

REVOLUTIONARY "BAKE HOUSE." 

Aside from the interest in the big filter beds, Tor- 
resdale is filled with Kevolutionary memories and tra- 
ditions, and many of the most interesting of the his- 
toric structures are still standing. Trom Colonial 
days the river front in this vicinity has been famous 
for its country seats. Xotable among the recent 
country seats o'^^med by Philadelphians are those of 
Edwin H. Fitler, ex-]\Iayor of Philadelphia, and 
Thomas Dolan. "' The Bake House '' seems an odd 
name for the handsome coimtry seat of George AY. 
Morgan, until it is understood that it stood on the site 
of an interesting Eevolutionary relic; that it com- 
memorated the old Bake House of Torresdale, where 
bread was baked when Washington's army was striv- 
ing to prevent the entrance of the British into Phila- 



98 



Cfte automobile Couri0t 



delpliia. The ancient ovens were removed before 
the enlargement of the building for George W. Mor- 
gan. Later the historic house was entirely destroyed 
by fire, and a laroe o;ranite building: was erected on 
its site by James i'isher, Esq.^ which still retained the 
name of ^^ The Bake House." 









5» -^' M^w^MH 


IhP 


M 


» 


H^^^^^^^i^''^' 


1 

1 


1 

1 

■ 


i^iS| 









CUlATItY 



NOW A llO^EE FOR ACTORS. 



Previous to the Revolution the elder Evan Thomas 
had established a bakery for ship bread at this spot. 
When George W. Morgan owned the land it extended 
from " Eleven-Mile Lane/' so called from its distance 
from the old measuring point at Second and Market 
Streets, to what is now known as Convent Lane. At 
the time of the remodeling: of the Bake House it was 



Duet 15ci0tol Pike* 99 

said in the vicinity, '^ From this point for three miles 
np the Delaware is one of the finest suburbs in this 
or in any other land. The magnificent country seats 
are directly on the broad river, and no public road 
intervenes/' 

WHERE SHAD ARE FISHED. 

The place adjoining the Bake House bears the 
name of '' La Carolina/' derived from William Hood 
Stewart's plantation in Cuba. A little further up the 
river is a s])ot that will make this run of special inter- 
est at the time of the early shad fishing. This indus- 
try is still conducted on a large scale on the island 
opposite, at the junction of the Delaware and Ran- 
cocas. It used to be known as Rancocas Island, but 
it was afterward called Hawk Island. 

On the return trip other noted hostelries of Revo- 
lutionary days may be visited by continuing all the 
way down the Bristol Pike and entering Frankford 
Avenue beyond Bridge Street. The Turner's C. C. 
Club is passed, on the left, coming down the pike. 
Just below this, on the left, a quaint little building 
is noticed, with Hebrew characters above the door- 
way, standing in the midst of a Hebrew burying 
ground. On the right is the Cedar Hill and the 
North Cedar Hill Cemeteries, so named from the 
abundance of cedar trees which formerly grew here. 

After reaching Frankford Avenue a number of old 
liotels are passed that were popular resorts in Colo- 

LofC. 



100 



Ct)e automoliile Courist* 



nial days. ^N^otable among tliem are the Jolly Post 
and the Seven Stars. The Jolly Post was especially 
famous previous to the Revolution, when relays of 
horses were kept here for the stages between Phila- 
delphia and Xew York. It was a popular place for 
the gathering of patriots during the Revolution. 
Turn right on Prankford Avenue to Orthodox Street, 
and return from here by the same short route recom- 
mended for the outo'oina" run. 




DOORWAY OF EDWIN FOHHKST JIO.NfK. 






i>K^^ 




I^atboro anD J^artsDille. 



DiSTAXCE FROM PHILADELPHIA. 

Sixteen miles to Hatboro and nineteen to Hartsville by di- 
rect York Road route. Few miles extra required for German - 
town route. From forty to forty-five miles will cover return 
and side trips. 

EOUTE. 

To Germantown Avenue and Mill Street by way of Broad 
and Cayuga. Out Mill Street — or Church Lane — to Limekiln 
Pike, Willow Grove Turnpike, and Old Church Road, to Old 
York Road. Continue out York Road from its intersection 
with Church Road, at Cheltenham or Old Shoemakertown. Re- 
turn by way of Willow Grove, Weldon, Greenwood Summit and 
Limekiln Pike. 

Roads. 

Good pike and macadam. 

AVhat to See. 

Shoemaker Homesteads of Cheltenham. 

" Dorothy's Garden " and old mill race. 

" Lyndenhurst," the Wanamaker country seat. 

Landmarks of Jenkintown. 

Scenic attractions of the Langhorne Valley. 

Huntingdon Valley Country Club. 

Revolutionary reminders at Abington — ancient Mooretown. 

The Elkins " P'olly Farm." 

The charming view from Horseheaven Hill and Willow 
Grove attractions. 

Famous Hatboro Bridge and ancient Academy, mill and 
homesteads. 

INIonument of Crooked Billet and " Lacy " battleground. 

Landmarks of Hartsville. 



J^attioro anD r^attsDille* 



With Many Points of Interest Further up the Old York Road, 
for Those Who Desire a Longer Run. 



Half the charm in short auto trips for an after- 
noon run lies in a change of route for each point of 
interest. After getting into the habit of taking a 
certain good pike road for the various towns lying 
within its reach, it is natural to avoid the unknown 
though probably more alluring routes that lead to 
the same destination, for fear of encountering diffi- 
culties. 

Such places as Willow Grove, Hatboro, Hartsville, 
Bushington, Centreville, and the many other attrac- 
tive places on the line of Old York Road, are usually 
reached by this thoroughfare alone, long after the 
average automobilist has become familiar with its 
numerous landmarks and is eager for new roads to 
conquer. There are two routes to Willow Grove and 
the more distant points, by way of Germantown, that 
will give pleasing variety. One of the best runs to 
and through Germantown is north on Broad Street 
to Cayuga; turn right on Cayuga Street to take the 
short turn under the railroad at Wayne Junction to 
Wayne Avenue; turn right on Seymour Street to 
Greene, then turn left and run out Greene Street to 
Upsal; from Upsal Street take right fork of road 
through Pelham, bearing to the right; turn to the 

103 



104 Cfte automobile Courist 

right on Carpenter Street to Germantown Avenue, 
and turn left to Mount Airy Avenue; turn to the 
right on Mount Airy Avenue direct to Greenwood 
Summit, Glenside, Weldon and Willow Grove. 

For a more roundabout route that will also lead 
over good roads and through picturesque views, turn 
to the right at Germantown Avenue and Cayuga 
Street, and run out Germantown Avenue to Mill 
Street, or Church Lane, as it is now called. (This 
new ^' Church Lane " is entirely distinct from the old 
Church Road several miles beyond, which leads from 
the Whitemarsh Valley to Second Street Pike.) 
Turn to the right from Germantown Avenue to 
Church Lane, and out Church Lane direct to Lime- 
kiln Pike, which will lead through Pittville, five 
miles, direct to Greenwood Summit, ten miles from 
Broad and Market Streets. 

Crossing the Limekiln Pike at Greenwood Sum- 
mit is the Germantown and Willow Grove Turnpike. 
Turn to the right on this pike to Old Church Road; 
turn to the right on Old Church Road to Old York 
Road. Church Road cuts into York Road at Ogontz, 
near Cheltenham, or Shoemakertown, as it was origi- 
nally known. After passing over the ancient bridge, 
by the famous old fording place and " sheep's-wash- 
ing-place," on the Tacony Creek, and the historic 
Cheltenham grist mill, two famous old Shoemaker 
mansions are passed. The one on the right is now 
known as the Fox estate. When it was purchased 



ll;)atlioro and ^att0t3ille* 



lOi 



for a country seat by Mr. George Fox many improve- 
ments were added to the old mansion, but it was 
allowed to retain the appearance and features of a 
colonial homestead. Between thirty and forty years 
ago this old Shoemaker mansion was known as " Ivy 
Green," and in it was started a preparatory school 
for boys, which has since become the Cheltenham 




SllUEMAKKU il<J.Mi:.Sii:A)) AND MILL RACE. 



Military Academy, now situated at " ^N'orwood," on 
the summit of the Chelten Hills, about three-fourths 
of a mile west of the Old York Koad, at the corner of 
Washington Lane and Chelten Koad. When it 
was found that " Ivy Green " was not well adapted 
to the purposes of such a school, the managers deter- 



106 Cfje ^utcimobile Coun0t 

mined to secure another famous country seat, with 
extensive grounds, fine old shade trees, historic asso- 
ciations, and room for enlargement. ^' Norwood," 
the country seat of Mr. Maurice L. Hallowell, was all 
that could be desired, and was settled upon as the per- 
manent home of Cheltenham Academy. 

FAMOUS OLD MILL RACE. 

Directly ojDposite '^ Ivy Green " the other Shoe- 
maker homestead stands, on the left of York Road. 
The lawn leading down to the mill was the famous 
" Dorothy's garden " of a century and a half ago, 
when Dorothy Shoemaker lived in the original or 
lower portion of the old homestead and owned a 
share in the historic mill. The old mill race still runs 
through the grounds and adds a picturesque feature 
to the lawn. This property remained in the Shoe- 
maker family until 1817 — about one hundred years 
after the mill was built — ^Avhen it was purchased by 
Charles Bosler, who bought the entire property, in- 
cluding the mill. It afterwards came into the pos- 
session of his son, Joseph Bosler. It is said that at 
one time the Abington Meeting held its sessions in 
this historic house. Beyond the Bosler property is a 
cottage in which lived a cousin of General Grant. 
" Juliana's Cave," of legendary fame, was situated in 
the rocky portion of the Bosler property. 

Beyond these fine old Shoemaker properties there 
is a glimpse of a red-tiled lodge, and an expanse of the 



JDatftoto and ^amtJille* 107 

beautiful grounds of John Wanamaker's handsome 
country seat, known as '' Lyndenhurst." Its greatest 
charm hes in its picturesque hills and lakes, deer park 
and woodland in the rear of the mansion, and out of 
view from Old York Koad. 

There are several mills in this vicinity, besides the 
Shoemaker or Bosler mill, wdiich received their 
water power from the Tacony Creek in the long ago. 
xlbout half a mile below was the old Toby Leech grist 
mill and fork mill, and a little below that was the 
Hammond mill for the manufacture of edge tools; 
while above the Shoemaker mill, a little below Jen- 
kintowm Station, was Mather's mill; and beyond, 
about haK a mile above Jenkintown Station, w^as 
Rice's grist mill, one of the most ancient mills of this 
section. 

On reaching Jenkintown the handsome residence 
of Mr. George Kelly is seen on the right of York 
Road. Jenkintown was so named from Stephen and 
William Jenkins, who were among the early settlers 
in this part of the country. Many handsome country 
seats may be visited in this place, as well as the old 
hall, w^hich still bears the name of " Jenkins' Town 
Lyceum." About half a century ago the lyceum was 
held at Dr. Shoemaker's house, afterwards occupied 
by Dr. Paxon. The meetings w^ere next held in a 
house which stood on the site of Dr. Randle's home. 
This meeting place was a large square room in which 
a portion was set apart for the use of the Abington 



108 Cfte automoliile Couri^t 

library. The old ^' Jenkins' Town Lyceum '' was built 
in 1859, as a permanent place for the society and 
library. 

IN THE LANGHORNE VALLEY. 

Beyond Jenkintown the automobilist catches beau- 
tiful views of the Langhorne Valley, especially when 
passing over the railroad at N^oble Station. To the 
right, just beyond this station, are the grounds of the 
Huntingdon Valley Golf Club. Abington is soon 
reached, the Mooretown of former days, named from 
Mary Moore, who kept the old ^' Square and Com- 
pass " Inn. Here is the old burying ground with its 
stone wall, behind which it is said the soldiers hid, 
when fleeing up the old York Road after the battle 
of Germantown. In this ancient graveyard there are 
many old tombs dating back two hundred years, and 
here lie several who served in the Revolution, and 
later in councils of state. 

Between Abington and Willow Grove, York Road 
sweeps through a picturesque succession of rolling 
hills, with fertile farm lands and fine old homesteads 
on every side, with here and there a modern building 
operation ofl'ering every allurement to attract the 
suburban builder. The famous " Folly Farm " is on 
the right of the road, so named by William L. Elkins 
and his friends because of the great expense of its 
many buildings, and its prize horses, cattle and sheep, 
as well as its experimental farming. 



li)atftoro anD I^amiJille* 



109 



As Willow Grove comes into view, if it be to\vard 
night in summer, and the park is aglow with electric 
lights, it seems like a fairy land that outrivals with 
its wonders all the stories and traditions of the road 
just traveled. If it is in winter, there is even better 
opportimities to study the points of interest surround- 
ing, during the absence of park attractions and sum- 





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AXCIEX'J GKIST :\[ILL OF IIATBOKO. 

mer foliage. Off to the right can be seen the high 
endnence called Horseheaven. It will pay the trav- 
eler to climb this hill, on a clear winter's day, for the 
view^ of historic Valley Forge and ancient German- 
town, while the faint distant lines of Trenton, with 
Whitemarsh in the foreground, bring up Revolution- 



110 Cf)c automobile Couri^t 

ary memories. The Jersey hills stretch their blue 
lines for many a mile, while Buckingham Mountain 
divides his high honors with them. The hills on the 
Delaw^are, Schuylkill and E'eshaminy, and Edge Hill, 
Camp Hill, Church Hill and Huckleberry Hill claim 
attention, while Frankford, Chestnut Hill, Barren 
Hill, Flourtown, Jenkintown and Hatboro must not 
be forgotten as under the eye of the beholder. 

QUAINT OLD HORSEHEAVEN. 

Horseheaven was so named by reason of the many 
poor, worn horses turned out here to die when they 
reached Willow Grove in the old coaching days. This 
was the first point for changing horses in those days, 
and many a steed w^as ready for Horseheaven after 
the mires and hills of Old York Koad. Two good 
taverns graced the town; one, the Red Lion, which 
was built at the junction of Old York Road and 
Governor's Road, about 1732, was considered the 
best hostelry between Rising Sun and Coryell's 
Ferry. The Red Lion, in Revolutionary days, was 
manai2:ed bv mine host Butler, who was decidedlv 
opposed to anything smacking of the British. These 
pronounced sentiments got him into trouble, and he 
w^as taken prisoner by the British lighthorsemen and 
carried to Philadelphia in 1777. 

Willow^ Grove in those days went by the name of 
Round Meadow, for here w^as another of those bogs 
and mires that made the way of the traveler a dan- 



IDatftoto anD l^amWUe* iii 

gerous one. Hence the road wound circuitouslj 
aroimd the meadow, wherever solid ground could be 
found, and the name became applied to it. The 
stream which ran through Round Meadow and its 
adjoining swamp was known as Round Meadow Run, 
which propelled the old Benjamin Morgan's grist 
mill, built by Thomas Parry in 1731. 

In 1G81 Penn bought of the Indian chief, Metami- 
cont, the lands on the Pennypack, including this sec- 
tion. ^Nicholas More's tract^, obtained from Penn, 
ran across Round Meadow. When Old York Road 
ran through this swamp a bridge was thrown over 
Round Meadow Run. A son of James Dubree, after 
the Revolution, built a dam above the bridge and had 
a race to drive a scythe factory. The Cheltenham 
and Willow Grove Turnpike Company was chartered 
in 1803, although the plank road and turnpike was 
not finished until 1857. It commenced on the York 
Road, a few yards above Round Meadow bridge, 
crossing the Moreland and Abington line nearly at 
]"ight angles. ^luch stone was required to make a 
solid road about Round Meadow bridge, and rails 
used to be stood on end to warn travelers of miry 
points before the pike was finished. 

In the long ago Round Meadow and Horseheaven 
were quite as famous as a resort as the Willow Grove 
Park of to-day. ^N'aturalists and geologists loved the 
spot. The peat and indigenous cranberries attracted 
attention, as well as the many beautiful wild flowers. 



IDatboro anD l^amm'lle* ii3 

The rare '^ star-nosed mole " frequented the spot, 
and muskrats built their ^' neat and highly ingenious 
cabins " in this swamp, while snipe and woodcock and 
blackbirds claimed a right to their ancestral grounds 
long after man tried to dispossess them. The botan- 
ist can still find a large variety of trees and shrubs on 
this hill. The laurel in June is whitened over with 
its snowy llowers. The mountain spikenard still 
luxuriates amidst the crevices of the rocks. Here is 
the mountain mint, or dittamy, of which the people 
made tea in ancient days, and the spicy wintergreen, 
or teaberry, also flourishes. The squirrel, rabbit, 
opossum, robin, jay and crow still own this hill as in 
the old days, in spite of human intruders with their 
title deeds. In 1840 and 1841 Ferdinand Hassler, 
the Superintendent of the United States Coast Sur- 
vey, camped here with his assistants. The signal sta- 
tion communicated with similar ones at Mount Holly 
and Woodbury, ^. J., Langhorne, Girard College, 
and one or two in Delaware County. 

THE ROAD TO HATBORO. 

Continuing out Old York Road another hill is 
encountered just before reaching Hatboro. Al- 
though the grading of the pike has leveled 
much of the original hill, its summit still 
affords a fine view of Hatboro, and Lacy's battle- 
ground, the ^' Crooked Billet monument," the ^N'e- 
shaminy Hills, the Pennypack Valley and the pictur- 



lU 



tUbt automobile Coumt 



esque scenery of Huckleberry Hill. Previous to 
1720 Sampson Davis, a native of Wales, owned land 
here, and ^^ built a cabin where the Water Cure 
stands.'' The hill took its name from him. In 1777, 
on August 23d, Washington and his army, with bag- 
gage and artillery train, crossed Sampson's Hill. 




THE FAMOUS LOLLER ACADEMY. 



They had broken camp near Cross Roads — the pres- 
ent village of Hartsville — six miles above this point, 
where for two weeks they had awaited tidings as to 
the expected landing of the British. They marched 
toward Philadelphia, whence they proceeded and met 
the enemy on the Brandywine. 



©atboro and ©ambille* 115 

On entering Hatboro, the famous Loller Academy, 
now one of the public schools of the town, is passed 
on the left of the roadway^ just before reaching the 
ancient Hatboro bridge over York Road, with the old 
mill on the left. Hatborough was the original spell- 
ing. The name of this '' lower end borough '' comes 
down from colonial times, so called from the fact 
that in one of its first houses, built in 1705, lived 
John Dawson, who followed the occupation of mak- 
ing hats. The ancient village was also called The 
Billet, or Crooked Billet, in the early days, from a 
tavern which bore that name or symbol, said to be of 
English importation. The old Dawson house after- 
ward became a tavern in the center of the town, and 
a part of it is incorporated in the dwelling built by 
Oliver Watson. Colonel John Lacy had his head- 
quarters at Hatboro in 1778. The two most ancient 
hostelries of the place have long been known simply 
as the ^' Upper and Lower Hotels." Byberry Ave- 
nue is the finest avenue of residences in Hatboro. 

The L^nion Library is one of the oldest in the coun- 
try. It is said that at the date of its origin there 
could not have been more than eight or nine public 
libraries in the thirteen colonies. It was established 
in 1755. The " Crooked Billet Monument," erected 
in memory of the Hatboro soldiers, stands on the out- 
skirts of the town, while Washington's headquarters, 
on the TsTeshaminy, further up Old York Road, the old 
Cross Roads Hotel, and other points of interest in the 



116 Cfte automobile Coun0t 

vicinity of Hartsville, keep up the interest in things 
historic until Bushington and Centreville are reached. 
By way of Old York Road, Willow Grove is about 
thirteen miles from Philadelphia; Hatboro, sixteen 
miles; Hartsville, nineteen miles; Bushington, 
twenty-three miles, and Centreville, twenty-seven 
miles. By the less traveled Germantown routes the 
trip is lengthened by a few miles. There is equally 
good traveling in these days over any of the three 
routes mentioned. At the foot of the hill leading 
into Hatboro a turn to the left leads to the Doyles- 
town Pike. Just after passing Wood's hotel, in Hat- 
boro, a turn to the right is the Byberry Road, lead- 
ing to tJie Sorrel Horse Hotel, on old Second Street 
Pike. This wall give a change of route for return, if 
desirable, or it may be found equally interesting to 
return from Hatboro to Greenwood Summit by way 
of York Road to Willow Grove, thence through Wel- 
don and Glenside to the Summit ; or if this route was 
taken on tlie outgoing trip, return by way of Lime- 
kiln Pike, as described at tlie beginning of the run. 




THE OLD HATBORO BRIDGE. 



OSustleton anD Cre$centUille» 



Distance thom Philadelphia. 

About fifteen miles by way of Second Street Pike, Thirty- 
five miles will include return by way of Crescentville and short 
side trips. 

EOUTE. 

To Second Street Pike by way of Broad Street, Kising Sun 
Lane and Fifth Street; out the pike through Olney and Fox 
Chase; bearing to the right above Fox Chase to the Bustleton 
Pike. Return by way of Bustleton Pike and Second Street 
Pike to " Old Soldier Road,'"' and bear to the right for Crescent- 
ville; thence by way of Tabor Road, Green Lane and Old York 
Road. 

Roads, 

Mainly good macadam and smooth pikes. 

What to See, 

The Burk country seat at Olney. 

Winding waterways and sunny meadows along the Tacony. 
Landmarks of Second Street and Bustleton Pikes. 
Old Pennypack Church and its interesting burial-ground. 
Mills and ruins dating back more than two centuries. 
Charming old Bustleton Station. 
The " Bee Hive " of " Porcupine " fame. 
The picturesque old Welsh Road. 

St, Luke's Episcopal Church and its famous memorial tablets. 
Excellent examples of colonial architecture in the ancient 
town. 

Old mills and unfinished monument of Crescentville. 
Historic Gritlitlis homestead. 



15u0tletcin anD Cce0ccntt)ille* 



Picturesque Old Settlements That May Be Visited within the 
Limits of a Thirty-five Mile Run. 



A trip to Bustleton, which is claimed to be seven- 
teen miles from Broad and Market Streets, might 
seem sufficient for an afternoon run if time is to be 
allowed to visit the ancient landmarks of the pic- 
turesque town, get an early supper at one of its 
famous old hotels, and return by the shortest route 
by way of Second Street Pike. The seventeen-mile 
route, however, is by railroad; the trip may be 
greatly shortened by taking the direct run over the 
pike, and may be kept within thirty-five miles, allow- 
ing for going and coming, and including three or four 
extra miles for visiting places of note in Bustleton 
and vicinity. By allowing a few hours extra for the 
trip, and starting in the middle of the forenoon, din- 
ing at one of the Bustleton inns, and returning by a 
route that will add additional attractions to the trip, 
a visit to Crescentville may be included in the outing, 
by covering very little extra mileage, simply making 
a slight detour on the way home. It should not be 
attempted, however, to include both these quaint old 
settlements in a short afternoon journey, as the time 
for sightseeing would be too limited to do them 
justice. 

119 



120 Cf)e automoliile Couri0t* 

THE SHORTEST WAY THERE. 

The wisest plan will be to go by the shortest route 
and return by way of Crescentville ; then if there are 
delays for side trips on the way^ or Bustleton proves 
too attractive for a hurried visit, Crescentville may 
be left for another run. The most direct route to 
Second Street Pike is north on Broad Street to Ris- 
ing Sun Lane, turn right on the lane to Fifth Street, 
and take the left fork on pike direct to drove yards, 
Feltonville and Olney. At Olney, on the right of 
the pike, is noticed the handsome ^^ Burk country 
seat," and just beyond Olney the road crosses Tacony 
Creek. ■ The picturesque glimpses of winding water- 
ways and simny meadows of this vicinity of the 
Tacony lead to the thriving little suburb of Lawn- 
dale; and just beyond is old Church Road, leading to 
the Trinity Oxford Church, on the right of the pike. 
Pass on out Second Street Pike, through Fox Chase, 
and beyond, bearing to the right, to the famous old 
Bustleton Pike, which forms the main street of Bus- 
tleton. On reaching Bustleton there will be no diffi- 
culty in securing a list of the most interesting land- 
marks, and the most direct route for visiting them, 
as the residents of the place take special pride in its 
history. The visitor will be assured that here origi- 
nated many celebrated institutions, and that Bustle- 
ton, one hundred years ago, was distinguished for the 
number of its men famous in science, art, religion, 
statesmanship and manufacture. 



122 Cfte automobile Coun0t, 

Among the earliest institutions was the ancient 
library, containing about two thousand volumes of 
the best standard works on all subjects. Mr. Enoch 
C. Edwards, the librarian, had the library in the 
second story of his store, where the post office was 
afterwards located. The Pennypack Church — distin- 
guished as being the second oldest Baptist Church in 
America — is still standing. It was built in the sev- 
enteenth century, and until nearly the middle of the 
eighteenth century was the only church building 
within four or five miles. Byberry Meeting, All 
Saints and Oxford Church were the nearest. Brown 
University is said to have originated here. In addi- 
tion to the other academies and schools located in 
Bustleton, Dr. Samuel Jones, pastor of Pennypack 
Church, a graduate of the Pennsylvania University, 
had a school or college for preparing young men for 
the ministry. Also, while he was pastor of the 
ancient Pennypack Church, he was active in starting 
the Union College, of Khode Island (now Brown Uni- 
versity), and was offered the first presidency of that 
institution. John Comly was partly educated under 
his instruction. John Watts, a resident of Bustle- 
ton, was distinguished as one of Pennsylvania's sur- 
veyors. He assisted in running the Mason and Dixon 
Line, and for two or three generations people of the 
same name had been surveyors and schoolmasters of 
that neighborhood. The village was also distin- 
guished for having one of the oldest and best calico 



©ID 15u0tleton* 12:3 

printing establishments in the State at least, and 
some claim the oldest in the country. It was located 
on the Penypack Creek, adjoining the village. From 
one to two hundred men were employed, and there 
were four or five five-horse teams to transport the 
goods to and from the city. And the oldest of grist 
mills was also established here, as the ancient Ver- 
ree's Mills were built upon the site of the still older 
Gwins' Mill, which was claimed to be the oldest mill 
near Philadelphia — older than the mill in Holmes- 
burg, which was built in 1690. 

THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME. 

There are many traditions as to how Bustleton 
came to bear its odd name. The village is said to 
have grown up around an ancient tavern known by 
the name of Busseltow^i — a name of English deriva- 
tion. The town of Bristol, in England, had a suburb 
called Brislington, which was afterward known as 
Busselton, and it is claimed that when the two neigh- 
boring settlements were started in Pennsylvania, they 
were given the names of Bristol and Busselton, after 
the English towms. These are probably the most 
plausible traditions, as Bustleton was spelled Bussel- 
ton in many of the old records. The early residents, 
however, claim other reasons for the naming of the 
towm. Perhaps the oldest tradition is to the effect 
that a farmer who had occasion to pass through the 
place in the early morning invariably saw a woman 



124 Cbe automobile Courist* 





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THE " BEE-HIVE " BUILDING AT BUSTLETON. 

working so busily at a house — Avhich is noAV possibly 
the depot — that she became known as '^ Bustling 
Bess/' and that the village was named Bustleton in 
her honor. Two other traditions state that the name 
came from the fact that the early settlement itself 
was bustling, especially on one occasion during the 
Revolutionary War, when many soldiers passed 
through the place on their way to Hatboro — then 
known as Crooked Billet — giving the town a bustling 
appearance; and on another occasion, when an early 
attempt was made to divide the place into building 
lots, and great energy was displayed by those who 
were promoting the scheme, which stirred the to^vn. 
A still more probable version is to the effect that a 
man named Cyrus Bustil, one of the earliest resi- 



©ID 15ii0tletott* 125 

dentSj of Indian descent, gave his name to the town. 
'Not only was the old town and its early inhabitants 
known to be " bustling/' but even its buildings seem 
to have been after the ''busy bee" order; and one 
of the most ancient is still known as the ^' Bee Hive.'' 
This old building is still standing next to the depot. 
It is said to have received its name from the fact 
that in the early days many people lived in it at one 
time. 

AN UNMUZZLED PORCUPINE. 

It was in the Bee Hive that the famous " Porcu- 
pine " was published, in 1799. William Cobbett, a 
noted English writer on political subjects, who went 
to Bustleton to avoid the yellow fever in Philadel- 
phia, published the paper, which was of a satirical 
nature. Cobbett told his friend, Henry Pepper, that 
he called his paper " 'The Porcupine " because he 
meant to shoot his quills wherever he could catch 
game. Cobbett had an eventful career. He came to 
this country in 1791, and lived for a time in Colonel 
McLane's house in Wilmington. During this period 
he taught French and published a French grammar. 
He was a soldier in the British Army, and in the East 
Indies only received six pence a day, but he was of 
a studious disposition and procured books and studied 
them at night. He returned to England in 1818, and 
afterward became a member of the House of Com- 
mons. 



126 Cfte automolJile Couri^t 

The majority of historic places of the town are 
found along the Main Street — or Bustleton Pike — 
Avith its fine old shade trees; but the automobilist 
should not fail to take a side trip out the old Welsh 
Eoad. This ancient thoroughfare joins the pike just 
beyond the Union Hotel. It obtained its name from 
the Welsh, who used to come dowai this road in com- 
panies — banded together for protection from the In- 
dians — with their grain to the mills of Bustleton and 
Holmesburg. On the old Welsh Koad is the St. 
Luke's Episcopal Church, with its famous memorial 
tablets, and passing on down the road we come to 
some fine old houses, particularly the John Farnum 
house — which afterw^ard came into the possession of 
the Masland's, and which is an excellent example of 
colonial architecture. This property, with its famous 
old trees — prominent among them being a splendid 
magnolia tree — runs down to the old Xewton road, 
which resembles an English lane leading down to the 
original St. Luke's School. This school has recently 
been removed from Bustleton to Wayne, Pa. It was 
started by Mrs. Jane Crawford, of Ury House, Fox 
Chase, who conducted an excellent school for boys 
on her beautiful place for about twenty years. In 
1884 Mr. Charles H. Strout, one of her teachers, 
assumed charge of the institution, and removed it to 
the Wiilian property at Bustleton. The old Marshall 
homestead should also be visited. Edward Marshall 
was one of the three men who walked the famous 



©ID iSmtltton. 



127 



'' Indian Walk " of 1737. He was born in Bnstleton 
in 1710, and was twenty-seven years old at the time 
of the walk. 

QUAINT OLD GRUBBTOWN MILLS. 

For the shortest route to Crescentville return by 
way of Bustleton Pike and Second Street Pike to 
what is known as '^ the Old Soldier Road/' near 
Lawndale, where one may note the Wentz Reservoir 
and the " Young Farm," with its fine old mansion 
and roomy, old-fashioned barns. Crescentville is 
soon reached bv takino^ the road branchino^ to the 
right, and here are found many historic mills that 
have stood from the time when old Crescentville was 
known as Grubbtown. Manv of the old mills are 




oil) HOMESTEAD RATEROAP DEPOT AT BUSTI^ETON. 



128 Cfte automobile Coumt. 

now deserted, and the ancient homesteads have taken 
on a look of dilapidation; j^et this little settlement on 
the Tacony is one of peculiar interest to the historian, 
and is one that has for years attracted artists in 
search of the picturesque. The most noted of its 
old homesteads is known as the '' Griffiths mansion," 
which stands on the hillside sloping down to the 
Tacony Creek, and which still retains an air of stately 
magnificence. It is not generally known just when 
the old house was built, and there has been repeated 
controversy on the subject, but it is certain that it 
was known as the Griffiths homestead as early as 
1794, when Thomas Griffiths owned a plantation of 
one hundred acres here, through which, in 1794, 
Green Lane was opened to GrubbtoAvn. The home 
life of the Griffiths of the long ago was closely asso- 
ciated with the interests of the Logan family of his- 
toric Stenton. 

The old homestead is closely associated with the 
memory of Hannah Griff eths, the famous Quaker 
poetess, and Thomas Griffiths, who not only 
distinguished himself in connection with the 
early history of Philadelphia, in various ways, 
but was especially prominent as Mayor of the 
city. From the time that Anthony Morris was 
elected Mayor of Philadelphia, in 1704, to 
the rule of Shoemaker, Gibson, Fisher and 
Ehoads, from 1770 to 1775, Thomas Griffiths was 
not only the most popular Mayor, and the one most 



©ID T15u0tleton* 129 

frequently elected, but the only one who was elected 
for three separate terms. He served as Mayor dur- 
ing 1729, 1730 and 1731. Then, after one year's rule 
by Hasell, during 1732, Griffiths was again elected 
for 1733 and 1734. Then three different Mayors 
held the position for short terms of power, and Grif- 
fiths was again elected for the position in 1738. , 

AN UNFINISHED MONUMENT. ' ' 

Kear the Griffiths homestead is a quaint, unfin- 
ished monument, standing just outside of the Cres- 
centville schoolyard. The monument was erected in 
memory of the volunteers of Crescentville who left 
their farms and mills and went out for active service 
in the Civil War. The residents of the little settle- 
ment still tell with pride that from this village and 
vicinity more volunteers went to fight for the Union 
than from any other place of double its population. 
It seemed fitting that a monument should be erected 
proclaiming this fact for the sake of the children of 
the soldiers. As an appropriate place for such a 
monument a site was chosen on the slope of the hill 
leading down into the valley of the Tacony, where 
the numerous mills were in active operation and giv- 
ing em])loyment to hundreds at the time of the war, 
and just outside of the grounds of the public school, 
where the enthusiastic boys and girls of the place, 
whose relatives were numbered among the volun- 
teers, could have a feeling of possession in the glis- 





130 



Cije automobile Couri0t 



tening moniTment erected to the memory of their 
bravery. There is no lettering ni:)on it, as funds 
were exhausted before its completion. Its upper sur- 
faces are smooth, and a great rough granite boulder 
serves as a base of the shaft. Unfinished as it is, it is 
dear to the residents of Crescentville as a monument 
to the bravery of their volunteers and the '^ good old 
times " just before the war when the great mills of 
the place, then known as Grubbtown, were in active 
operation, and the little village was in the height of 
its prosperity. 

From Crescentville return by Avay of Tabor Road 
and Green Lane to Branchtown, where Green Lane 
enters York Road; do^vn York Road to Logan, and 
down Broad Street. 




U^'I-■I^•ISIIEU MOXUMEXT AT CRESCENTVILLE. 



Cl)e ©ID 9^ill0 of Cfteltenftam* 



DlSTAlS^CE FROM PHILADELPHIA. 

About ten miles by way of York Road to Shoemaker Mills, 
and out Church Road to Toby Leech Mills. Twenty-five miles 
will cover side trips and return by way of Second Street Pike. 

EOUTE. 

Out Broad Street to Logan and York Road. Out York Road 
to Church Road at Cheltenham. Out Church Road to Toby 
Leech Mills; to Second Street Pike by way of Old Church 
Road, and down the Pike to the city by way of Rising Sun 
Lane and Broad Street. 

EOADS. 
Uniformly good. 

What to See. 

De Benneville burial-ground at Green Lane and York Road. 
Silver Pine Farm and the old Branchtown Hotel. 
The Charles Wharton or Russel Smith Homestead. 
Quaint stone monuments marking Revolutionary graves. 
Picturesque Fairy Rock and home of J. S. Levering Wharton. 
" Outalauna " — the country seat of Joseph Wharton. 
Site of Benjamin Lay's Cave. 
Fine specimen of old Dutch architecture. 
" County Line Tavern," " The Oaks " and the Lucretia Mott 
Homestead. 

Modern country seats along Y^ork Road. 
Ancient bridge and mill of Shoemakertown. 
Famous Tobv Leech Mills and Homestead. 



Cfte ©ID 601110 of Cbeltenftam* 



vStructures Famous from the Time Cheltenham and Ogontz 
Were Included in Ancient Shoemakertown. 



A novel automobile run, covering a line of travel 
over two of the oldest roads in the country, will make 
an afternoon trip of more than usual interest. Old 
York Road was laid out in ITII, and still older 
Church Road in 1704. The run may cover a distance 
of about ten miles to the famous Toby Leech Mills, 
or may be continued several miles further by the side 
trips, and into the Whitemarsh Valley, returning by 
Church Road and Second Street Pike. 

As the historic features of Old York Road have 
been made familiar throu^'h the Fox Chase trip to 
Green Lane at Branchtown, another route may be 
taken by way of variety from Philadelphia to this 
point. Broad Street is now cut through to Branch- 
town, and will soon be in fine condition. 

Or one can leave Broad Street at Loscan Station 
and make the short run from Logan to Branchtown 
on York Road. Automobilists from Germantown 
will find Mill Street a charming roadway, because of 
its historic landmarks, as well as its good, hard road- 
bed. This old roadway is good from Main Street to 
York Road, which it enters opposite Silver Pine 
Farm, just above Green Lane and the De Benneville 

133 



134 Cfte automoliile Couri^t 

graveyard. The famous Godfrey homestead, where 
Thomas Godfrey, the inventor of the quadrant, lived, 
is on the right; while nearly opposite is the site of the 
famous Spencer Roberts homestead. 

The old mill ruins, just below the Godfrey house, 
indicate that this was a place of industry in olden 
times. 

FAMOUS OLD CEMETERY. 

The De Benneville graveyard, extending on Green 
Lane and York Eoad, is one of the oldest private 
burying grounds in the vicinity of Philadelphia. It 
was originally a portion of Silver Pine farm, which 
for nearly a century remained in the De Benneville 
family. George De Benneville, M.D., the first of the 
family to settle in this country, was the first resident 
physician to settle on Old York Road. In 1758 Dr. 
De Benneville purchased from Joseph Spencer 
tw^enty acres of land with a dwelling, on the north 
mde of the Luken plantation. 

A little further up Old York Road — the second 
prop'erty' below Oak Lane — is another of the early 
homes of the De Benneville family, a picturesque, 
old-time dwelling, sheltered by two handsome old 
sycamore trees. This is known as the " Bonneval 
Cottage," as the ancestors of the family spelled their 
name De Bonneval, when for many centuries they 
occupied prominent positions in Prance. While the 
upper homestead has been known by the ancestral 



C!)eltenf)am'0 ^ill0* 135 

name, the lower homestead has long been known as 
Silver Pine Farm, from the number of beautiful sil- 
ver pine trees planted on the lawn. 

In the ancient De Benneville graveyard were 
buried General Agnew and Lieutenant-Colonel Bird, 
two British officers killed in the battle of German- 
town. During the recent cutting through of Xorth 
Broad Street a portion of the old graveyard, includ- 
ins: these oraves, w^as destroved. Elaborate cere- 
monies Avere held when the historic graves were re- 
moved to another portion of the burying ground. 
The grave of Elisha Kent Kane, the noted Arctic ex- 
plorer, is said to be here, also, but this is incorrect. 
The Kane family homestead lies further to the east 
on Green Lane. 

Across the road from Silver Pine Farm, on the 
corner of Mill Street, is the old Branchtown Hotel, 
which was built by Joseph Spencer in 1790, and 
which was a popular resort for sleighing parties a 
hundred years ago. Beyond this historic hostelry, 
also on the left of York Road, is the home of Charles 
Wharton, built upon a solid rock wdiicli protrudes 
above the surface of the soil. This w^as once the 
property of the artist, Pussel Smith. Two curious 
monuments to Revolutionary heroes are found on the 
place, wdiich are unmatched in any cemetery. In- 
stead of the conventional marble slab, they look more 
like the trunks of dead trees. One marks the graves 
of four soldiers of the Revolution, killed by a Hes- 



136 Cf)e amomotiile Couri0t 

sian^ who surprised them as they sat around a spring. 
Russel Smith — being familiar with the story of their 
death at this spot — searched for and found their 
bodies buried in one grave, and had the tall, rough 
brown stone set up to mark their last resting place. 
At that time, when the artist took the property in 
charge, it was a wild, uncultivated piece of land, cov- 
ered with scrub oak and pine. 

PICTURESQUE "FAIRY ROCK." 

" Fairy Eock," of many traditions, adjoins the 
Eussel Smith property. On the top of the rock stands 
the home of J. S. Lovering Wharton, with its wooded 
background. It is one of the most picturesque spots 
on Old York Koad. In the grading for the pike his- 
toric liock Run Creek, which crosses York Road at 
this point, has been transformed into many little 
lakes, which add to the beauty of the surrounding- 
properties. '^ Fairy Rock " juts out to the roadway, 
and its old-time appearance has been but little altered 
in the grading of recent years. Many were the le- 
gends told of it in the old days when a trip from ^ew 
York to Philadelphia was a journey of some time, and 
the travelers gathered at night in the inns to recount 
their adventures. 

A third Wharton property adjoins '' Fairy Rock.'^ 
This is known as " Outalauna," the handsome coun- 
try seat of Joseph Wharton. It stands some distance 
back from the road, and like the other two is on the 



Cf)cltenl)am'0 9iill0» 137 

left of the pike. Rock Run is crossed at the entrance 
of the grounds by a substantial bridge, forming a pic- 
turesque lake on the slope of the lawn near the road. 
On this property was situated the cave of Benjamin 
Lay, one of the most striking characters that ever 
resided on Old York Road. He was known as the 
hermit, and was the first public declaimer against 
slavery, and that, too, at a time when his own neigh- 
bors held slaves. He was born in Colchester, Eng- 
land, in 1677. In 1718 he entered mercantile busi- 
ness in Barbadoes, where the cruelties of the slave 
trade w^ere constantly before him. His sympathies 
were moved toward the slaves, and he strongly en- 
deavored to make the traffic odious. He gave the 
slaves advice and food, and opened his house in town 
for their instruction. A clamor rose against this, and 
hostility was provoked, and he finally came to Phila- 
delphia, arriving here in 1731. Pennsylvania slavery 
was milder than that of the West Indies, but the 
emigrant again worked zealously against it, and met 
opposition. He was disappointed in this reception in 
Philadelphia — the City of Brotherly Love — and he 
determined to live a life of seclusion. He built a 
cave-like cottage in the hill slope at Branchtown. 
There, with his wife — who was also zealous in the 
cause of slavery — he adopted the most rigid habits 
of temperance, self-denial and frugality. It is said 
of him that he would not eat food, nor wear garments, 
nor use articles procured at the expense of animal 



138 Clje automo&ile Couti^t 

life, or in the remotest degree the product of the 
labor of slaves. 

In the hills above Branchtown the soil is rocky to 
a great depth, with many open spaces in the rocks 
beneath the soil; and it is now claimed that the old 
superstitions concerning the spinning of the fairy 
had good foundation, as the spinning wheel in the 
rocky cave-home of Benjamin Lay, at some distance 
back from York Road, might readily be heard on the 
adjoining property, seeming to come from the 
" Fairy Rock," then overhanging the ancient thor- 
oughfare. 

One of the finest specimens of old Dutch architec- 
ture to be seen anywhere in the vicinity of Philadel- 
phia is found on tlie left of Old York Road, on 
ascending the hill above ^' Outalauna.'' It is the 
beautiful home of Mrs. William Morris Davis. In 
the rear a ^\'alled-in terrace gives the finishing touch 
to one of the quaintest and most charming homes 
along the road. The original house, which was in 
front of this, was burned down; and the little old 
well-house, which can still be seen in the lower cor- 
ner of the grounds near the road, marks the site of 
the oldest house on the Old York Road. This was the 
log hut of Grifiith Miles, one of the original surveyors 
of the road. It was removed by Mr. Davis in 1856. 
Opposite the toll house stood the house built by Ben- 
jamin Armitage in 1724, for a public house. 

At the corner of County Line and York Road the 



€f)eltenljam'0 9@ill$; 139 

large yellow house on the right is the old County 
Line Tavern, l)nilt by Joseph Rorer at the beginning 
of the last century. The handsome property of the 
late Charles Sharpless, knoAvn as '' The Oaks," begins 
at this point on the I'ight. Thomas Mott, son of 
Lncretia Mott, built it; and just across the road is the 
modest homestead known as ^' Roadside," where 




OLD SI10E:\[AKER mill, now CHELTENHAM FLOUR MILLS. 

Lncretia Mott, the pliilanthropic Quakeress and 
famous preacher, died. 

The fine estate of R. J. Dobbins, who built many 
of the Centennial buildings, is just above the Sharp- 
less property on the right. On the left of York Road, 
opposite Mr. Dobbins' place, are the magnificent 
estates of John B. Stetson, Henry Roelofs, his son-in- 
law, and Mr. Fray, his partner. 



140 Cbe 3utomotiile Couri0t 

BEAUTIFUL " IDRO." 

Stetson's beautiful country seat bears the attrac- 
tive name of '^ Idro/' a Kussian word meaning cool 
and pleasant. The architecture is of the time of 
Francis I., and with its extensive lawns, shrubbery 
and beautiful drives, it seems as though a veritable 
chateau of sunny France has been set down in our 
midst. The home of Mr. Roelofs, adjoining, is known 
as '' Rhyllon." St. Paul's Church is on the right of 
the roadway. It is one of the loveliest pieces of 
church architecture to be found in the suburbs of 
Philadelphia. Covered with ivy, with beautiful 
chimes that ring softly through the air at every quar- 
ter hour, it seems to belong to some ancient demesne 
of rural England rather than to modern America. 

The little town of Ogontz, once known as Shoe- 
makertown, is one of the oldest settlements on York 
Road. There was an ancient ford where the Tacony 
Creek crosses York Road at this point. The old 
bridge which was afterwards built across the creek 
bears the date of 1798. The famous Cheltenham 
Mill, which is still standing on the left of the road, 
was built prior to 1747, and there is still treasured in 
the Shoemaker family the quaint articles of agree- 
ment between Dorotliy — widow of Isaac Shoemaker 
— and Richard Mather, dated ^N'ovember Gth, 1746. 
The mill in this document is styled a '' Corn-Grist 
Mill," and further " Ye s'd mill, and for other conve- 
niences abovt ye s'd mill (ye race and dam excepted) 



Ct)eltenf)am'0 ^iU0* i4i 

is to begin at Toxony Crick, opposite ye s'd Dorothy's 
garden, at ye place of s'd crick commonly called and 
known by the name of ye Sheep's-Washing-Place, and 
from thence to extend down ye east side of ye s'd 
crick to the fording place of s'd crick in ye York 
Koad." This qnaint docmnent gives in a few words a 
vivid picture of old Shoemakertown of more than a 
centnry and a half ago, when the ancient Shoemaker 
mansions, Dorothy's garden, the old corn-grist mill, 
the fording place and the sheep's-washing-place w^ere 
famous points of interest on Old York Eoad. 

THE TOBY LEECH MANSION. 

Before crossing the bridge over the Tacony Creek 
turn to the right on Old Church Eoad, to visit the 
most interesting section of Cheltenham, where the 
Toby Leech mansion, the old oven of sea biscuit fame, 
the ancient Toby Leech grist mill, and the historic 
Penn house, are clustered in the little settlement be- 
yond Elkins Park. These historic mansions — 
although one is now sadly demolished — were consid- 
ered wonderful achievements in architecture in their 
day. They still stand within a few hundred yards of 
each other, about a mile east of York Road. The 
Toby Leech homestead is on the right of the road, 
while a little further on the Penn house stands on the 
left. The latter stands on high ground, on the hill- 
side sloping down to the Tacony Creek, while the 
former is down in the hollow directlv on the bank of 



142 Cbe automobile Couri^t 

the creek that in Colonial days turned the great wheel 
of the Toby Leech grist mill. 

Both of the old homesteads are closely associated 
with the days before the Revolution. Early in the 
eighteenth century Toby or Tobias Leech was consid- 
ered a great man in this part of the country. He not 
only owned the largest grist mill in the vicinity, but 
conducted an extensive tannery, and carried on the 
manufacture of sea biscuit in an immense oven built 
for that purpose, whence they were hauled to the city 
and sold to shippers. Li E'ovember, 1711, Toby 
Leech was one of the twelve jurors in laying out the 
Old York Road from the present Center Bridge, on 
the Delaware River, through Ogontz, to the intersec- 
tion of Fourth and Vine Streets, Philadelphia. 

He was one of the County Commissioners in 1718. 
He held this office until nearly the time of his death, 
N'ovember 13th, 1726, when he was 74 years of age. 
He and his wife came from Cheltenham, in Glouces- 
tershire, England, in 1682. The " Toby Leech home- 
stead " was built soon after their arrival, and 
although there has been some dispute concerning the 
exact date of its erection, it is known that it must be 
at least two hundred years old, as it was standing 
when the Old Church Road was laid out in 1704. 
The name of Cheltenham was given to this section of 
York Road and Church Road in honor of Toby 
Leech's home in Cheltenham, England. 

Church Road was so called because it leads from 



Cf)elten{)am'0 ^ill0* 



143 



the famous old Trinity Oxford Episcopal Church, 
near Second Street Pike, to St. Thomas' Church, 
Whitemarsh. The " Ministers of the English Society 
for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts '' 
(as the ancient society was quaintly termed) used to 
travel this road in the days when the population was 
scattered and when the parochial work was toilsome. 
The old roadway is good traveling all the way out to 
St. Thomas' Church in the Whitemarsh. From here 
the run may be taken out Church Road, past the 
Trinity Oxford Church to Second Street Pike, re- 
turning to the city by way of this good pike road and 
Risino- Sun Lane to Broad Street. 




TOUY LEECH GKIST MILL OF SEA-IilSCUIT FAME. 




OLD ROCK RUN FORMS A PICTURESQUE LAKE AND 
WATERFALL AT "' OUTALAUNA." 



Pf)ilaDeIpf)ia to LafeetoooD* 



Distance feom Philadelphia. 

By way of Trenton and Long Branch about one hundred and 
ten miles. Two hundred and thirty miles will cover return 
and side trips. 

EOUTE. 

To Bristol Pike by way of Broad Street, Rising Sun Lane, 
Powder Mill Lane and P^rankford; out Bristol Pike to Holmes- 
burg, Torresdale, Bristol and Tullytown, to Trenton. Across 
New Jersey from Trenton to Long Branch, and down to Lake- 
wood by way of Asbury Park, Belmar, Spring Lake and 
Manasquan. 

EOADS. 

Excellent over the long stretches of Bristol and Trenton 
Pikes. Much better than over the shorter route through Jer- 
sey by way of Camden and the river drive. 

What to See. 

Red Lion Inn on Bristol Pike. 
The Colonel Morrell Estate. 

Andalusia — the country seat of the Biddle family. 
The Industrial School at Eddington. 
Ancient store and tavern at Bridgewater. 
Site of Baldwin Ferry on the Neshaminy. 
Historic landmarks at Bristol. 
jVIemorials of the Battle of Trenton. 

Interesting towns and villages along Trenton Pike to Long 
Branch. 

Famous watering places along the Jersey Coast. 
Beautiful country seats at Lakewood. 



10 



PftilaDelpftm to LabetoooD* 



A Long Trip over Good Pike Roads, through Numerous Historic 
Towns and Stretches of Open Country. 



There are few runs covering a distance of a hun- 
dred miles or more from Philadelphia more attractive 
for the automobilist than a trip to Lakewood. There 
are many points of historic and modern interest 
throughout the entire journey, and almost continuous 
good roads. Tliere is a choice of routes throughout 
the trip during the summer season, when the run 
from Philadelphia to Lakewood may be made on the 
Jersey side of the Delaware Kiver, by way of Cam- 
den and the Pdver Drive, with return by way of 
Mount Holly and Burlington, crossing by the Bur- 
lington ferry to Bristol, and runnino- down Bristol 
Pike. 

But during the winter season and the early spring 
it is best for the automobilist to avoid the ferries — 
especially Burlington ferry— and make both the 
going and the return trip by way of Bristol Pike to 
Trenton. From Trenton directly across l^ew Jer- 
sey to Long Branch there is a fine gravel pike, with 
few speed restrictions, where a good spin can be 
made. From Long Branch there is a good road to 
Asbury Park, which is about eighty-three miles from 
Philadelphia l^y this route, and there are good roads 
from Asbury Park tlirough Belmar, Spring Lake, Sea 

147 



148 Cf)e automobile Coun0t 

Girt, Manasqiian and Point Pleasant to Lakewood, 
twenty-seven miles beyond. This may seem an nn- 
necessarily long journey, by a round-about route, but 
the possibility of making good time, and the points of 
interest, more than compensate. 

Follow the Torresdale trip by way of Bristol Pike 
beyond Pennypack Creek, above Holmesburg, to 
Poquessing Creek, which divides Philadelphia from 
Bucks County. Just beyond Poquessing Creek is the 
historic inn of Colonial and Kevolutionary fame, 
known as '^ The Red Lion." This is doubtless the 
oldest hostelry in ancient Bensalem — the township 
laid out before 1695 by the Surveyor-General, Cap- 
tain Thomas Holme. The name of Bensalem was 
also given to the little settlement surrounding the 
inn. It has been noted as a peculiar name, being a 
Hebrew compound, signifying '^ Son of Peace, or 
House of Order and Consolation." In the deeds of 
1708 the place is called the " Manor of Bensalem." 
In 1781 Washington's army in their march to York- 
town to attack Cornwallis encamped at the Bed Lion 
Inn over night, and the delegates from Massachusetts 
to the First Continental Congress dined at the Red 
Lion, August 29th, 1774. 

The famous hostelry stands at the junction of the 
Bristol Pike and the Red Lion Road. The upper end 
of the building is of brick of very hard texture, said 
to have come from England. The loAver and more 
modern part is of stone. 



HakeiuooD^ 149 

COLONEL MORRELL'S ESTATE. 

To the left of Red Lion Inn can be seen the fine 
estate of Colonel Morrell, on the old township lines 
of Moreland, Byberry and Delaware. These three 
townships join on the Colonel Morrell property. 
Continuing up Bristol Pike, the little village of 
Maude is passed, and Andalusia, named from the 
beautiful country seat of the Biddle family on the 
Delaware River al)ove Torresdale. Below Eddington 
is found an institution for the education of Indian 
and colored children. On reaching Eddington an in- 
dustrial school for boys may be seen on the left. It 
was founded through the munificence of Mary Cath- 
erine Drexel. The Bristol Pike crosses the Xesham- 
iny Creek at Bridgewater. On the left of the pike at 
this place there are several points of interest. Di- 
rectly on the roadway is the little old-time ^^ general 
store,^' which has for more than half a century been 
in the Sipler family. Back of the store is an ancient 
buttonwood tree, of huge dimensions, which marks 
the historic Baldwin Eerry, which was established 
here in 1697. The famous Ha'penny Hotel of Col- 
onial days stands on the creek back of the little Sipler 
store. 

The ancient town of Bristol is soon reached by con- 
tinuing up the pike. It was the first chartered bor- 
ough in Pennsylvania, its Colonial settlement com- 
mencing in 1681. The site of Bristol is a part of a 
tract granted under warrant of Sir Edmund Andros, 



150 



Cfte amomotiile Coun0n 



Provincial Governor of Xew York, to Samuel Clift, 
in 1681. The land lay on the Delaware River and 
Mill Creek. In K382 Samuel Clift deeded the tract 
to Joseph English, and in 1695 a part of it was con- 
veyed to Anthony Burton and Thomas Brock, who, 
one year later, received the remaining half, by deed 
from Peter White. In 1696 Burton and Brock 




BRISTOL PIKE CROSSES NESHAMINY CREEK AT BRIDGEWATER. 

divided their property, and stakes began to arise and 
streets and building lots invaded the Indian camping- 
ground. 

The fruitful country soon tempted settlers, and 
lands in this vicinity were settled before the laying 
out of Philadelpliia, and it was strongly expected that 



LaketoooD* i5i 

the most important town of the State would rise at 

Bristol. 

THE BRISTOL BATHS. 

The famous bath at Bristol, noted for its chaly- 
beate springs, gained celebrity about 1722, when many 
came to this point as a summer resort, and noted 
Europeans are said to have visited the springs for 
health, as the waters were used as a medicine as well 
as a bath. In 1773 the first stage coaches of Bristol 
were started, running from Philadelphia to Xew 
York in two days. The fare was four dollars, the 
same as at the present day, but there was quite a dif- 
ference in running time — between tw^o days and two 
hours. 

In the winter of 1776 General Cadwallader had 
about three thousand troops at Bristol, and in the fol- 
lowing April about fifteen hundred were divided 
among the inhabitants for entertainment. About 
half a mile above Bristol there was a camp containing 
a part of what was styled " John Adams' Standing 
Army." The residence of Samuel Adams, at the cor- 
ner of Otter and Mill Streets, was at one time a 
guardhouse. Gondolas and barges were at Bristol for 
the use of the Government in the Revolution. The 
Friends' Meeeting House became a hospital. 

After the short side trips necessary to visit these 
points of interest in Bristol turn to the right at Clos- 
son's Hotel to the river. Turn to the left on River 
Road and run direct to Tullytown and Trenton. Just 



152 Ci)c automobile Couri0t* 

beyond Tullytown, Pennsburv Manor is passed — the 
beautiful country seat of William Penn. Although 
the original mansion has been destroyed, various 
memorials remain of the philanthropic Penn and his 
home life in this beautiful country place, where — to 
use his own words — he wished to make his children 
'^ husbandmen and housewives." 

Penn introduced many new seeds wdiile living here, 
and it is claimed that he was the means of bringing 
clover and other grass seed to Bucks County. 

HISTORIC TRENTON. 

At Trenton, wdiich is thirty-two miles from Phila- 
delphia, numerous points of historic interest may be 
visited, which are familiar to all because of their con- 
nection with the battle of Trenton — the turning point 
in the American Kevolution. At the '^ lower bridge " 
turn left on Warren Street to State Street, for the 
shortest route to Long Branch and Asbury Park. 
Turn left on State Street and follow trolley tracks to 
bend; then direct to pike for Hamilton Square, which 
is thirty-eight miles from Philadelphia. Then New- 
town will be passed on the pike, and Hightstown, 
forty-seven miles from Philadelphia; Manalapan, 
Freehold, sixty-one miles; Colt's Neck, Eatontown, 
seventy-two miles; then Long Branch is reached at a 
distance of seventy-seven miles, and Asbury Park, 
eighty-three miles from Philadelphia by this route. 

Many towns and villages passed beyond Tren- 



ILakeU)aoD< 



153 



ton are of historic interest, but the first of special im- 
portance is Freehold, nearly thirty miles from Tren- 
ton, and about sixty-one from Philadelphia. This is 
the seat of justice for Monmouth County. The early 
village of Freehold dates its origin from the period 
when the county courts were held here in 1735, and in 




BATTLE MONUMENT AT TRENTON, 



154 Clje automolJile Couri$t 

olden times Avas known by the appellation of '^ Mon- 
mouth Courthouse." This village will ever be mem- 
orable in American history, and its numerous ancient 
landmarks will be carefully treasured, on account of 
one of the most sanguinary battles of the Revolution 
being fought in its vicinity — the Battle of Mon- 
mouth, June 28th, 1778. 

On passing Colt's 'Neck — about five miles from 
Freehold — a pause should be made to visit an inter- 
esting landmark, known as the Captain Huddy man- 
sion. Colt's Xeck was originally known as 
Call's ^N'eck, from a resident of that name, and 
from the fact that it is situated on a neck of land 
formed by two branches of Swimming River. Stand- 
ing in the central part of the village, a few rods back 
from the main road, is the old Huddy Homestead. 

Captain Huddy distinguished himself on various 
occasions in the Revolution, and became an object of 
terror to the tories. His defense of the old home- 
stead, assisted only by a mulatto servant girl, against 
sixty refugees, is well known history, also his com- 
mand of a block house at Tom's River, which was 
attacked by a party of refugees from New York and 
taken only after a gallant resistance, and other im- 
portant events in which he figured creditably during 
the struggle for independence. 

About a mile north of Colt's Neck one of the origi- 
nal caves of the early settlers has long been an object 
of curiosity. It was a good type of the early caves^ 



LaketoooD* 155 

divided into several rooms, and built in a clay bank 
beside a brook. The mouth was finally broken in, 
which destroyed it as an object of curiosity, making it 
impossible to enter it except when the water is low. 

Eatontown was named from a family of early set- 
tlers by the name of Eaton. There is a tradition still 
clinging to the place that about the year 1670 the 
Indians sold out this section of country to Lewis Mor- 
ris for a barrel of cider, and emigrated to Crosswicks 
and Cranberry. One of them, called Indian Will, 
remained, and dwelt in a wigwam between Tinton 
Falls and Swimming River. His tribe were in conse- 
quence exasperated, and at various times sent mes- 
sengers to kill him in single combat; but he always 
came off conqueror. On a certain occasion, while 
partaking of a breakfast of suppawn and milk at Mr. 
Eaton's, with a silver spoon, he casually remarked 
that he knew where there were plenty of such. The 
family promised if he would bring them they would 
give him a red coat and a cocked hat. In a short time 
he was arrayed in that dress, and it is said that the 
Eatons suddenly became wealthy. About eighty 
years afterwards, in pulling down an old mansion of 
the place, in which a maiden member of the Eaton 
family had long resided, a quantity of cob dollars, 
supposed by the superstitious to have been Kidd's 
money, were found concealed in the cellar wall. 

Five miles beyond Eatontown, Long Branch is 
reached, with Asbury Park about six miles beyond. 



156 



Cbe amomoliile Couti^t 



Both of these resorts are too well known to require 
description. Xearlv the entire route from Trenton 
to Long Branch is over fine gravel pike, and the de- 
sirable side trips mentioned are also good traveling 

From Asbury Park to Lakewood is about twenty- 
seven miles. Asbury Park being about eighty-three 
miles from Philadel]:)hia by this route, will make the 








A8i;URY PAKK FROM WESLEY LAKE. 



run direct from Philadelphia to Lakewood about one 
hundred and ten miles. I'ake the macadamized road 
south from Asbury Park to Belmar, Spring Lake and 
Sea Girt — twelve miles from Asbury Park; Mana- 
squan and Point Pleasant, seventeen miles. In Point 
Pleasant turn right at post office to Lakewood, 
twenty-seven miles. 



9n ©uting to ancient Ci)e0tet* 



Distance from Philadelphia. 

Fifteen and a half miles by way of Penrose Ferry and Es- 
sington. Sixteen miles by Chester Pike. Thirty-five miles al- 
lowed for return and side trips. 

Route. 

Out jNIoyamensing Avenue to Penrose Ferry Bridge; out the 
Island Koad through Essington, and along the Darby Creek, 
Crum Creek and Eddystone to Chester. A choice of pikes for 
return. 

EOADS. 

Good on Chester Pike and by way of Swarthmore. Poor on 
some parts of the Essington route; but the extra attractions 
of this route are worth careful driving. 

What to See. 

Landmarks of Penrose Ferry. 

Historic sites on Island Road. 

The Outing Club Houses of Essington. 

Corinthian Yacht Club. 

First Lazaretto buildings. 

Picturesque spots on famous creeks. 

Attractions of ancient Chester. 




STONE MARKING THE LANDING PLACE OF W 



ILLIAM PENN. 



an ©uting to ancient Cfte^ten 



With Pleasant Side Trips to the Yacht Club at Essington and 
the Old Lazaretto. 



An attractive automobile trip for a short day — or 
less, depending on the time at the disposal of the tour- 
ist — is from Philadelphia to Chester. There are 
pretty stretches of rolling country and river scenery 
to please the eye. There is also a wealth of historic 
spots to visit, and several modern places of great 
interest. 

There are objects of interest all along the way 
from Philadelphia to Chester, by way of Penrose 
Ferry and Essington — a distance of about fifteen 
miles from the lower part of Philadelphia, with a 
longer trip for return, by taking the Polsom route, 
or going from Chester to Swarthmore, from Swarth- 
more to Folsom, and thence to Philadelphia by way 
of Darby. 

The most direct route when going by way of 
Essington, in order to visit the famous yacht clubs, 
is a run down Broad Street to Moyamensing Avenue, 
and continue by way of Penrose Ferry Bridge. This 
spot will be found of special interest, as it was one 
•of the oldest ferries in the vicinity of Philadelphia, 
dating back to 1742. It is said that the ferry resulted 
from the establishment of a pesthouse or hospital on 
Fisher's Island. Samuel Penrose was appointed 

159 



160 Clje automobile Coun^n 

ferry-keeper in 177(>, and his name has clung to it 
ever since. For twenty-five years after the Penrose 
Ferry Bridge Company was incorporated, in 1853, 
there was repeated trouble wdth the bridges. The 
first bridge built collapsed. Another was built in 
1860; a span of this fell into the river some years 
later. A third bridge was built in 1878, and there 
has been little difficulty since then in keeping a satis- 
factory drawbridge at this point. It will not be wise 
to spend too much time on the attractions of the 
Island Road or the notorious Bow Creek — although 
its unsavory summer fame may be largely dissipated 
in the autumn and winter — if one desires to fully 
explore the Essington attractions. 

SIGHTS AT ESSINGTON. 

Here are the Corinthian Yacht Club, the Phila- 
delphia Yacht Club and the Orchard, the summer 
athletic club, the summer home of the Schuylkill 
^Mavy Club. The Orchard Club occupies the most 
interesting of the club buildings, and their situation 
is of special historic value. They occupy the famous 
Lazaretto buildings, wdiose outw^ard appearance has 
been altered as little as possible in the remodeling for 
club purposes. The club members glory in the fame 
of the place, and are ever ready to tell inquisitive 
visitors how the Lazaretto came to be established in 
this particular place. They wall inform you that in 
1799 the managers of the Marine and City ITospitaL 



ancient C{)e0ter* i(3i 

wlio had a short time before taken the place of the old 
Board of Healthy purchased a piece of ground on 
Tinicum Island, in the Delaware. 

The Lazaretto grounds were surrounded by Dela- 
ware River, Darby Creek and Plumb Hook Creek. 
According to the original plan the steward's house 
was to be fifty feet square and fifty feet high. The 
Lazaretto buildings were to be on the right and left 
of this, and were each sixty feet long by twenty-two 
feet wide. These were for the sick and convalescent. 
On the same line, at convenient distances, were apart- 
ments for the resident physicians, quarantine master, 
and other houses. Afterward there were many other 
buildings constructed, including a temporary lodging 
house for emigrants who were not sick. This ac- 
counts for the many buildings still standing upon the 
grounds where Dr. Michael Lieb was appointed the 
first Lazaretto physician, over a hundred years ago. 
Adjoining this the L'nited States Government estab- 
lished an inspection station, which occupied about 
nine acres of ground, also a building for the storage 
of goods and warehouses for property brought in ves- 
sels which had to be detained. Little Tinicum Island 
is in front of the Lazaretto, and the channel between 
is a good place for anchorage. 

After inspecting the various buildings still stand- 
ing of the ancient warehouses and the Laza- 
retto, and doing justice to the attractions of the vari- 
11 



162 



Cfte automobile Courist 




THE LAZARETTO AT ESSINGTON, 

Oils yacht clubs, there will be very little time for 
other pauses along Darbv Creek, Crum Creek and 
Eddvstonej if the party is to " do '' historic Chester 
before the midday meal. Chester is rich in quaint old 
inns and other historic points. The rock which marks 
the landing spot of William Penn is one of the attrac- 
tions. 



LANDMARKS OF THE OLDER SECTION OF THE TOWN. 



Market Street is es])ecially thronged witli interest- 
ing landmarks. Beginning near the river, this old 
thoroughfare will provide a succession of historic in- 
terests for more than half its length, with a few side 
trips here and there, leading to ancient sites and 



ancient CJ)e0tet* i63 

buildings a square or two beyond Market. It may 
be A\ell t(. have a list of the most important places 
— from a historic standpoint — then with occasional 
inquiry among' the residents of this section many 
attractions may be brought to notice that might 
otherwise be overlooked. Among the most famous 
landmarks are the stone monument near the river^ at 
Penn Street^ Ijearing the inscription: '' This stone 
marks the spot where William Penn lauded, October 
28-29, 1682 ''; the sites of the old court house of 
1685, and the later court house of 1721; the old 
prison erected in 1695; a siiccesison of ancient inns, 
including' the Johnson Tavern, Hope Anchor Inn of 
David Cowpland fame, and Richard Barry's tavern 
— afterward the Columbia House — built in 1735; 
the Lafayette House, on which originally stood 
James Sanderland's house, built prior to 1700; the 
David Cowpland homestead, afterwards the Stacy 
house; the Morgan, or Dr. Terrill, house; the Co- 
bourn, or Flickwir, house; the prothonotary's office; 
the Thomas Barber house; the Logan house, of Jas- 
per Yates fame, of 1700; David Lloyd's first house 
prior to 1703; the Ashbridge house, built in 1725; 
the Anderson mansion, erected in 1803; the site of 
the Graham house, built by John Hoskins in 1688, 
the oldest house in Chester; the home of Jonas San- 
derlands, built in 1723; the ancient homestead of 
Jacob Howell; the Market Street log house; the 
Friends' ]\reeting House, dating from 1736. 



164 Clje automofiile Couri0t 

On Third Street, just beyond Market, may be 
found one of the most ancient and most interesting 
burying grounds of the country — a tract of ground 
which was donated to the Swedish Church by Arm- 
gardt Pappegoya early in the history of the settle- 
ment, and which contains numerous quaint old tomb- 
stones and curious epitaphs. 

FAMOUS INNS OF CHESTEK. 

Down at the foot of Market Street, near the river, 
is the old Steamboat Hotel — a good type of the 
roomy hospitality of tlie ancient porch-encircled inn. 
Both the first and second stories show the broad 
porches. As this staunch old building — standing 
since Revolutionary days — is the first encountered on 
entering Chester from the boat landing, it gives a 
good impression of the many old inns for which the 
city of Chester is justly famous. When the ill-fated 
British frigate Augusta passed up the river, in 1777, 
she opened fire on the town, and a cannon ball is said 
to have passed directly through the upper story of 
this old Steamboat Hotel. 

At the northeast corner of Market and Second 
Streets is a famous tavern that in former days was 
known as the '' Blue Ball Inn," because of its pecu- 
liar sign. It is said to have been erected about the 
middle of the eighteenth century, although some of 
the local historians claim a greater age for it. 

The famous Black Bear Inn is an old hipped-roof 



ancient €!)e0tet< 



165 



house at the northeast corner of Third and Penn 
Streets. It was erected earlv m the eio-hteenth cen- 
tiiry. Still fnrtlier up Market Street, in the heart of 
the toAvn, is the historic AVashinoton House, standing 
opposite the eqnally famous old Town Hall of Ches- 
ter. A tablet has been placed upon the Washington 
House, bv the Delaware Countv Chapter, Daughters 




CHESTER'S FAMOUS BLACK BEAR IXX, 



of the American Revolution, briefly stating the most 
interesting points of its history. This ancient inn has 
encountered a fate similar to that of the old Town 
Hall, by being so closely snr rounded by business 
houses that its old-fashioned substantial outlines are 
scarcely discernible in passing up Market Street. 



166 Clje amamoftile Couti^t* 

The stanch stone Avails of " ve old Towne TTall " 
are much the same to-day as during Revolutionary 
days; the quaint projecting eaves have also been 
retained, but the tower has been altered and enlarged 
to accommodate the '^ town clock." 

It was in 1724 that the present town hall (for- 
merly the court house of Chester^ and afterwards of 
Delaware County) Avas built. After the Revolution- 
ary War had closed^ strong efforts were made to 
remove the county buildings to a more central local- 
ity. In 1784 an act of Assembly was procured to 
remove the county seat to ^' Turk's Head/' since the 
buildings for that purpose were being erected when 
the act was repealed. 

In 1847 the Assembly enacted a law providing for 
the removal of the seat of justice, should the people 
of the county, at the October election, decide for 
such a change; and in 1851 the courts and county 
offices were removed to Media, the present county 
seat. 

In the afternoon the extra run by the roundabout 
way of Chester to Swarthmore, from Swarthmore to 
Folsom, from Folsom to Darby, and from Darby to 
Philadelphia, will provide a good road for a speedy 
home run, as there will not be time to do justice to 
the many famous landmarks along this route, after 
the thorough review of Chester's attractions, but the 
change of scenery will be one of the pleasant features 
of the outing. 



Ctuaim ejplanD anD 9@arcu0 l^oob^ 



Distance from Philadelphia. 

About twenty miles by way of Chester and Upland to Mar- 
cus Hook. From forty to forty-five miles will cover return and 
side trips. 

Route. 

From Philadelphia to Chester Pike by way of Walnut Street, 
Woodland Avenue and Darby. Out Chester Pike to Chester, 
with a short side trip to Upland, and taking the river road to 
" the Hook," by way of Linwood; return by way of Essington, 
Penrose Ferry, Moyamensing Avenue, and Broad Street. 

Roads. 

Uniformly good throughout the entire trip. 

AVhat to See. 

Fine farms and country seats between Darby and Chester. 
Attractive boroughs of CoUingdale, Sharon Hill and Glen- 
olden. 

The Mulford vaccine and anti-toxine works at Glenolden. 

The White Horse Tavern— Old Kuerin— at Norwood. 

Old hotel and worsted mills at Crum Lynne. 

The Pennsylvania Military College on approaching Chester. 

Relics of ancient Upland. 

Mill ruins and Pusey Homestead of the Upland of to-day. 

Quaint old Marcus Hook. 

The Phillips homestead, or " The Lamplugh Place." 

Immense oil tanks of the United States Pipe Line Company. 



duaim apIanD aiiD c^arcu0 IDooL 



To a Primitive Settlement on the Delaware, Once the Resort of 
Pirates That Thronged the Atlantic Coast. 



Bj wav of Chester Pike — which is claimed to be 
the best road out of PhiLadelphia toward the South 
— it is possible to reach some of the most interesting 
of the early settlements on the Atlantic Coast. The 
pike is best reached by way of Walnut Street and 
Woodland Avenue to Darby. Scenic contrasts will 
make this outing one of special pleasure. Before 
reaching the quaint, quiet old settlement of Upland, 
with its deserted mills and the ancient Pusey home- 
stead, and sleepy old Marcus Hook on the Delaware, 
with its remnants of shipping industries, reminding 
one of a unique corner in Holland, it is necessary to 
pass through thriving suburban settlements and past 
beautiful modern country seats. The contrast will 
render this a trip of delightful memories long after 
it has been enjoyed, although it will include but lit- 
tle over forty miles — allowing thirty-two for the trip 
to Chester and return, and probably less than ten for 
all desirable side trips in old Chester, Upland and 
Marcus Hook. 

The country between Darby and Chester is essen- 
tially suburban. At a little distance from the pike 
one may visit some of the finest farms in Pennsylva- 
nia, for Delaware county stands high in agricultural 

169 



170 Cfte automa&ile Courist 

pursuits, but the country along the pike is largely 
taken up by suburban settlements and country seats. 
Leaving Darby — about eight miles from Philadel- 
phia — the route is down Chester Pike, past the 
boroughs of Collingdale, Sharon Hill, Glenolden and 
I^orwood, about nine and one-half miles from Phila- 
delphia. There are few sections displaying a greater 
number of notable country residences within the 
short distance of one and a half miles. At Sharon 
Hill the residences show extensive grounds that are 
beautifully kept, the most noteworthy places being 
the Folwell, the Conrad, the Hoey, the McGlynn and 
the Clothier estates. At Sharon Hill is also found 
the boarding school for girls established by John 
Jackson. 

ATTRACTIVE BOROUGHS ALONG THE PIKE. 

At Glenolden, the prosperous little borough ad- 
joining Sharon Hill, there is the historic store belong- 
ing to the Morris estate; and the Mulford vaccine 
and anti-toxin works will also be well w^orth a visit. 
At K'orwood is an ancient tavern formerly known as 
Kuerin, but now called the White Horse, with its 
old sign still swinging as in stage-coach days. It is 
said to have been built in 1729. Norwood received 
its name from the novel of that name by Henry 
Ward Beecher, published about the time the town 
was planned. 

Just beyond Nor^vood, the trolley line running 



€luaint OplanD* in 

from Essington to Moore's is passed, and off to the 
left one catches a glimj3se of the Schooner Ledge rear 
range-light. Moore's and I^orwood are only half a 
mile apart, and there has been talk of consolidating 
them; the residents claim that when visitors arrive 
they can get off the back of the train at Norwood and 
the front at Moore's. Passing through the little set- 
tlement of Prospect Park, there is a fine spin down 
grade, over Ridley Creek, and into the pretty subur- 
ban town of Ridley Park, where one begins to get a 
charming view of the Delaware — Essington and the 
Yacht Club flags being in view in the distance. 

When Ridley Creek is crossed, the home of the 
attractively-situated Bungalow Club is observed, 
perched on a hill among the trees. The building is of 
wood, covered with brown shingles, and is artistic in 
appearance. Beyond Ridley Park, on the hill at 
Crum Lynne — about fourteen miles from Philadel- 
phia — one finds a famous old hotel, and large wor- 
sted mills. The residents take special pride in the 
ancient buttonwood trees of unusual dimensions, and 
the fine old '^ Shafer Place." On reaching Eddy- 
stone, a short distance from Chester, turn along 
Seville Street, and catch a glimpse in the distance of 
the large dome on the top of the Pennsylvania Mili- 
tary College building. On turning down Ninth 
Street, and passing the Methodist church, the Crum 
Creek is crossed over a fine iron bridge. ISTear by is a 
curious-looking pond, famous for its bass. It is an 



€luaint OplanD* its 

old quarry of large size and filled with water, and is 
a favorite lisbing ground of the residents of the 
neighborhood. On entering Chester — sixteen miles 
from Philadelphia — by Morton Street, the buildings 
of the Robert Wetherill Machine Works are passed 
after turning along Seventh Street, and one gets a 
rear view of the Pennsylvania Military College, 
which was incorporated as such in 1862, although it 
dates its beginnings back to 1821. 

Chester is crowded with historic landmarks, and 
it is difficult for the automobilist to decide which, 
among the many, are worthy of special study. It will 
be well to leave the ancient town for a more leisurely 
visit if Upland and Marcus Hook are to receive spe- 
cial attention on this trip. Early in the seventeenth 
century, long before Philadelphia had its beginning, 
Chester was known as Upland. As early as 1G33 the 
contentions between the Swedes and the Dutch who 
had settled along this portion of the Delaware, 
brought the place into prominence, nearly half a cen- 
tury before the name was changed to Chester. 

UPLAND OF LONG AGO. 

In 1655 an order was issued by the Dutch, who 
were then in power, for the Swedes to be gathered 
together in one settlement at Upland, Passyunk, Pin- 
land, Kingsessing, or where they please, but the 
project was at length abandoned. On the 23d of 
September, 1676, Capt. John Collier was appointed 



174 Cf)e automobile Couti^t 

'' Coiniiiander in Delaware River and Bay/' and on 
the same day justices of the peace were commissioned 
for the jurisdictions of ^ew Castle and Upland for 
one year, or till further order. The records of Up- 
land Court from this time to the arrival of Governor 
Markham, in 1681, are in the possession of the State 
Historical Society. The place continued to be called 
Upland until the arrival of Penn, wdio, having com- 
pleted his arrangements in England, sailed from 
Deal on the 30th of August, 1682, and arrived at 
New Castle on the 27th of October. According to 
the old historians the fancy of the artist has por- 
trayed the landing of Penn at Upland; but neither 
the ]iour, the day nor the manner of his landing is 
certainly known. 

He landed at Upland, but the place was to bear 
that familiar name no more. Without reflection 
Penn determined that the name of this place should 
be changed. Turning round to his friend Pearson, 
one of his own society, who had accompanied him in 
the ship Welcome, he said: 

'' Providence has brought us here safe. Thou hast 
been the companion of my perils. What wilt thou 
that I should call this place ? " 

Pearson said, '' Chester," in remembrance of the 
city from whence he came. 

William Penn replied that it should be called 
Chester, and that when he divided the land into 
counties one of them should be called by the same 



Ctuaint OpIanD* 175 

name. Thus from a mere whim the name of the 
oldest town, the name of the whole settled part of 
the province, the name that would naturally have a 
i:)laee in the affections of a large majority of the in- 
habitants of the new province, was effaced to gratify 
the caprice or vanity of a friend. 

THE UPLAND OF TO-DAY. 

The little section of Chester still known by the 
ancient name of Upland includes two famous land- 
marks — the ruins of the old Chester mills, and the 
historic Pusey homestead. This place was known as 
early as 1682 as " The Chester :AIills." Caleb Pusey 
emigrated with his wife and daughter in 1682, and 
it is said that there was probably no one among the 
early immigrants to Pennsylvania better qualified to 
contend with the difficulties incident to the first set- 
tlement of a new country. His place of residence 
was at "■ the Chester Mills.'' In the establishment of 
these mills, and in the conducting of them many 
years afterwards, he was the active partner and mas- 
ter spirit. 

It required more than ordinary energy to contend 
with the repeated misfortune attendant on the first 
erection of this early improvement. Mill after mill 
was swept away by the flood, but the indomitable 
energy of Pusey was not overcome, and at length his 
efforts were croAvned with success. But his whole 
time was not occupied with his private concerns and 



176 Clje SutomolJile Coun0t 

his milling industries. We find him interested in 
civil affairs, '" taking his turn " as a township officer, 
and serving as a juror; in laying out roads and nego- 
tiating with, the Indians; in performing the duties of 
sheriff, and acting as a justice of the County Court; 
as a member of the Provincial Assembly, and at 
leno'th of the Executive Council. To religious mat- 
ters he was equally attentive. His name constantly 
appears in the minutes of the Society of Friends, 
among those who were most active in settling diffi- 
culties and in promoting deeds of benevolence. 

The Caleb Pusey house has long been a treasured 
landmark of this vicinity. The quaint little one-story 
stone structure, surrounded by a stone wall, is in a 
good state of preservation, and the ruins of the old 
mills near by may also be visited. Before leaving 
Chester for Marcus Hook, it will be well to visit the 
Crozer Theological Seminary, and the home of its 
president. Rev. Dr. Henry G. Weston, where the 
most famous private rose garden of this section of 
the State may be found, cultivated under the super- 
vision of the genial doctor. 

For the run to Marcus Hook the best route is to 
follow the trolley line by way of Linwood. The 
route lies through a pretty farming section, passing 
now and then a cluster of houses by courtesy called 
a village. At Linwood the road turns and runs 
toward the river, where another turn is made, and for 
a short distance the run is along the Delaware River. 



^atcu0 l)ook. 177 

The view here is superb, and well worth the trip. It 
is like a quaint corner in Holland. In fact, the scen- 
ery is decidedly un-American. Not even the modern 
industries that have been introduced at Marcus Hook 
during recent years, and indicated by the immense 
oil tanks of the United States Pipe Line Company, 
have been able to awaken the old part of the sleepy, 
quiet little town. The streets are overgrown with 
grass, running in a hos])ital)le way right U]) to the 
doors of the houses, and are informally mixed up; 
and in front of all lies the Delaware, with its ship- 
ping, its stately, tall-masted ships and its important, 
bustling little tugs. It is as if one had been dropped 
down into some sleepy corner of the Old World. 

ROMANCE AND PIRATES. 

Marcus Hook, quaint and quiet as it is to-day, has 
many interesting memories to dream over. It was 
given in its early days by Queen Christina of Sweden 
to Captain John Besk, his wife and heirs, for service 
rendered her by the doughty captain, and if we could 
get back of the prosaic fact no doubt a romance 
would be found as thrilling as any penned. It Avas 
in 1GS2 visited by Lord Baldwin, and toward the 
close of the seventeenth century it was a favorite 
resort of the pirates that thronged the Atlantic 
Coast. Indeed, so numerous were their visits, and 
so noisy were their brawls, that the name of Discord 
Lane was given to one of their most popular haunts,, 
a Jiame wliicli still clings to it. 
12 




JAMES PHILLIPS, LONG THE OLDEST RESIDENT OF MARCUS HOOK, 




A QUAINT OLD-Tl.ME KITCHEN OF THE PUSEY HOMESTEAD. 



^atcu0 l^ook* 179 

The automobilist will enjoy a run along the river 
road at '' The Hook/' and among the many shorter 
roadways of the old village where many historic 
homesteads may be visited. Among the most nota- 
ble is the old ^' Phillips Homestead/' as it is now 
known, although it was formerly known as " The 
Lamplugh Place." This historic place on the river 
is a mecca for history students. Its aged owner, Mr. 
James Phillips, who reached his ninety-eighth year in 
January, 1905, has long been known as the oldest 
citizen of Delaware County. His roomy brick house, 
with frame addition at the back, is one of the oldest 
houses of Marcus Hook. It has been the home of 
Mr. Phillips since he married the daughter of the 
household. Miss Eliza Lamplugh, in 1834. This old 
homestead is said to have played an important part 
in the Pevolution, as it helped to quarter the provin- 
cial troops. 

About March 29th, 1776, upon the application of 
Colonel Wayne, an order was drawn by the commit- 
tee of safety in favor of the Chester County Commit- 
tee for £500 to purchase arms on account of Con- 
gress. There were one hundred tents ordered also, 
as this house and the few others in the neighborhood 
Avere insufficient to quarter the vigilant patriots. 

After returning to Chester from Marcus Hook, 
the home run from Chester to Philadelphia may be 
made by w^ay of Essington, Penrose Ferry Road, 
Moyamensing Avenue and Broad Street. 




SHADOWS AND SUXSHIXE OF THE COUNTRY LANE, 



T3amam'0 ©arDens anD Darfip* 



Distance fkoai Philadelphia. 

Twenty-five miles will cover return and side trips to these 
near-by places of interest. 

Route. 

Out Woodland Avenue and Fifty-fourth Street to Bartram's 
Gardens. Out to Sixty-ninth Street, and through Paschalville 
to Darby; and out the old Baltimore Pike, through Fernwood 
and East Lansdowne to Lansdowne. Keturn by way of Pine 
Street and the Ignited States Naval Home. 

Roads. 

Good. Paved and macadam streets, and smooth pike. 

What to See. 

Famous Bartram House, with rambling old barns and slave 
qiuirters. 

Old cider press and stone watering-trough of Bartram's Gar- 
dens. 

The big bald cypress and " trees of heaven." 

Beautiful shrubbery and curious growths from distant climes 
started long ago in this earliest of botanical gardens. 

Famous Kingsessing Church at Sixty-ninth Street and 
Woodland Avenue. 

Old Blue Bell Tavern of Island Road ( Seventy-third Street ) . 

Mills and landmarks of Darby, Upper Darby and old Darby 
Creek. 

The country seats of l^ansdowne. 

United States Naval Home and Arsenal. 



T5amam'0 ©atDens auD Darbp* 



A Short Trip of Special Scenic and Historic Interest, Less 
Than Ten Miles from Philadelphia. 



It frequently occurs, in planning an auto outing 
for recreation, that the shortest trips require the 
longest time for full enjoyment. Less than a ten- 
mile run would seem scarcely worth outlining for the 
enthusiast who values his road car for its speed mak- 
ing, and yet w^hen taken in the right direction it is 
one that Avill afford an afternoon or even an entire 
day's outing of exceptional interest. The right direc- 
tion in this instance is out Walnut Street to Forty- 
first Street ; turn left on Forty-first Street to Chester 
Avenue; turn right to Forty-ninth Street; turn left 
on Forty-ninth Street and follow^ trolley tracks 
around depot to Woodland Avenue; turn right on 
Woodland Avenue direct to Darby, eight miles from 
Broad and Walnut Streets. At foot of grade in 
Darby the road to the left is Chester Pike, and the 
right fork is a good macadam road to Lansdowne, 
one and a half miles beyond Darby. 

The mere outline of the run, with the best roads 
to be traversed, will give very little idea of the many 
points of interest to be enjoyed within this limited 
mileage. Historic w^oodlands, the old Kingsessing 
Church, Bartram's Gardens, the ancient Blue Bell 
Tavern, and other noteworthy landmarks, will be 

183 



184^ Cfte automotiile Couri^t 

passed that will demand a leisurely visit, and will 
repay a careful study. If it is desirable to pass the 
University of Pennsylvania^ pass out Thirty-fourth 
Street to Woodland Avenue. The stately buildings 
are noticed at the junction of these streets. The 
library, a large red brick structure, in point of archi- 
tecture and appointments, ranks among the best 
libraries in the country. The dormitories and the 
botanical gardens are full of interest to the visitor. 
Beyond the University buildings the Blockley Alms- 
house is passed, and then historic Woodlands. The 
old mansion, once famous abroad, as well as at home, 
for the beauty of the house and its furnishings and 
its extensive grounds, now stands in the midst of 
Woodlands Cemetery. The ground was purchased 
by Andrew Hamilton in 1735, and originally con- 
tained about three hundred acres. It was described 
as a large piece of ground in Blockley Township, west 
of the Schuylkill, near and south of Market Street, 
and extending down to the Nanganesy (or Mill) 
Creek. It contained many fine trees, and was called 
The Woodlands. Shortly after it went into the pos- 
session of the Hamilton family a mansion was built 
there, which the second Andrew Hamilton occupied, 
and his son William after him. It was not nearly 
so handsome in style and '^appearance as the mansion 
which succeeded it, and which is said to have been 
erected about the time of the Kevolution. This still 
displays evidences of its former magnificence, al- 



15arttam'0 (SarDen0* i85 

though it is now falling into a state of dilapidation. 
The building embraces three different orders of archi- 
tecture, but the Doric prevails. The north trace is 
ornamented in front with six Ionic pilasters, and on 
each side is a pavilion. The south front has a mag- 
nificent portico, twenty-four feet in height, supported 
by six stately Tuscan columns. The original Andrew 
Hamilton was a man prominent in public affairs in 
the early days of Philadelphia. He superintended 
the erection of the State House, it is said, from his 
own architectural plans. His house and grounds 
were among the finest of Philadelphia, and many 
noted people were entertained under the hospitable 
roof of The AVoodlands. 

BARTRAM'S GARDENS. 

Continue out Woodland Avenue to Fifty-fourth 
Street, and turn to the left on Fifty-fourth Street to 
Bartram's Gardens, one of the most beautiful, his- 
toric and interesting spots in the vicinity of Philadel- 
phia. A view of City Hall and the statue of Penn 
may be seen on approaching the entrance to the 
Gardens, and one of the most interesting features of 
the park, noticed soon after entering, is the fact that 
all the famous old trees are labeled with both the 
common and botanical names. There are several 
handsome trees, in some respects resembling our 
conmion walnut trees, which are known by the curi- 
ous name of Trees of Heaven. These are said to 



186 



Clje automobile Couti^t. 



have come from the Holy Land. Trees of this 
variety are well known in Italy, and they are said to 
be good for malaria. Famons specimens of box bush 
of nnusnal dimensions dot the garden. The most 
noted tree within the grounds is the gigantic Bald 
Cypress, which for more than a century towered 
above its noble companions — a verital)le Goliath 




•• WOOIJLANDS, ' OF HAMILTON FAME. 

among trees. It is said tliat John Bartram brought 
this specimen from Florida, in 1749, as a twig 
jammed in one of his saddle bags. It has since grown 
to a height of nearly two hundred feet, with a cir- 
cumference at the base of thirty feet. Time has laid 
its withering hand upon its towering crown, and the 
big bald cypress is dead, though it still stands unmo- 



TBartram'0 (©ardent* isr 

lested, with its big trunk surrounded by a protecting 
fence. From the back of the house several paths 
lead down to the Schuylkill through a tangle of tall 
grass and clumps of shrubbery. A magnificent old 
horse chestnut stands in a superb state of preserva- 
tion, claimed to be over a hundred feet high — an 
unusual height for horse chestnut trees in this part 
of the country. Famous old birch trees are curiously 
marked by time and by visitors who delight to leave 
dates and initials upon the white bark. 

John Bartram, the botanist, w^as born March 23d, 
1()99, at Darby, in Chester (now Delaware) County. 
His grandfather, John Bartram, with his family, 
came over from England with the original settlers of 
Pennsylvania, about 1682-83. The family was 
French originally, but settled in Derbyshire, England, 
before coming to America. William Bartram, father 
of John, the botanist, was married to Elizabeth, 
daughter of James Hunt, at Darby Meeting, in 
March, 1696. John Bartram is described as rather 
above middle height. His manners were remarkably 
modest and gentle. He was a great philanthropist 
and a noted abolitionist. He made many trips in pur- 
suit of his favorite science — botany — a number of 
which were decidedly dangerous in those days, on 
account of the Indians. He explored the banks of 
Lakes Ontario and Cayuga, the banks and sources of 
the Delaware, Susquehanna, Allegheny and Schuyl- 
kill Rivers. He also traveled manv thousand miles 



188 Cfte amomotiile €:oun0t 

througli Virginia, the Carolinas and East and West 
Florida, taking a trip along the St. John's Eiver, 
Florida, at the advanced age of seventy. 

It was in 1728 that John Bartram bought the prop- 
erty on the Schuylkill, afterwards known as the Bo- 
tanical Gardens. It then consisted of four hundred 
acres, but only thirty acres are now owned by the 
city. The famous Bartram mansion is well worth 
careful study, both of the interior and exterior, and 
the quaint old cider press at the foot of the garden, 
on the bank of the Schuylkill, should be visited. The 
city now owns this interesting place, which is widely 
famous as the first botanical garden in this country. 

AN OLD CHURCH. 

Return to Woodland Avenue from Bartram's Gar- 
dens, and continue out the avenue to Sixty-ninth 
Street. On the left, at Sixty-ninth, is noticed one 
of the oldest churches in the country — St. James, 
Kingsessing. The land was conveyed to Henry 
Muhlenberg in 1762 for a Lutheran Church, and the 
building was completed in that year — a work that 
required extraordinary zeal on the part of the peo- 
ple. It is said that even the women and children 
assisted in completing the building, by carrying the 
smaller stones used for filling in between the larger 
ones in the construction of the walls. For a long- 
time the services were conducted by missionaries in 
their own language, but later it became necessary to 



©ID Darbp* i8<3 

lay this custom aside, and the liturgy of the Protest- 
ant Episcopal Church was adopted, together with the 
English language. In 1844 St. James was brought 
into union with the convention of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church. A Sunday School building was 
erected, and also a school house. 

Passing through Paschalville, Cobb's Creek is 
crossed just beyond, and we are in Delaware County. 
At Island Road (Seventy-third Street) stands the 
Blue Bell Tavern, with its hanging sign displaying a 
blue bell. This old hostelry is of decided historical 
interest. It is a large three-story building, and the 
oldest part, which was erected in 174-4, is now only a 
wing. The date can be seen high up on one corner. 
What is now the main building was constructed in 
ISOl, and the date is visible on each side of the roof. 
It w^as here, on the evening of November 18th, 1777, 
that an American picket of thirty men were sur- 
prised by some of Cornwallis's army, then on the 
march to Chester. The Americans resisted and 
killed one officer and two soldiers. They lost several 
men, who were wounded and captured. 

DARBY. 

Both Darby and Upper Darby constituted but one 
township up to 178(5. Under Penn's government the 
settlement of Darby commenced in 1682, and pro- 
gressed for a time more rapidly than any other set- 
tlement in the countv. It was first recognized as a 



190 



Cbe automoftile Couri^t 



municipal district in 1683, when Thomas Worth was 
appointed constable by the court. The ancient dis- 
trict of Calcon Hook was annexed to Darby in 1686. 
The mills at Darby were erected about the year 
1695 or 1696. In a deed executed in 1697, they are 
mentioned as three water grist mills and fulling 
mill. It is not known tliat a fullino- mill of an earlier 




OLD ('ll)KH I'KKSS IX r.AHTKA:M S (.AHDK.XS. 

date had been established in Pennsylvania. For some 
time after the flour mill at Darby was first estab- 
lished the bolting was not done at the mill, but some 
distance from it, and probably on the opposite side 
of the creek. It appears to have been a separate 
business, and was carried on by parties not concerned 
in the mill. 



©ID Dattjp* 191 

Make the return trip bv way of Woodland Avenue 
— Avhich was formerly known as tlie Darby Road, 
and is said to be one of the oldest roads in Philadel- 
phia County — as far as the Island Road. It will pay 
to take a little side trip out this short roadway lead- 
ing to Tinicum Island. This is said to have been one 
of the fortified points during the Revolution, l^ews 
of the embarkation of a large British force at 'New 
York very reasonably suggested the idea that the 
attack on the capital of Pennsylvania w^ould 
be by way of the river Delaware; and doubt- 
less that was the plan of General Howe when he 
sailed. Every effort was accordingly made for the 
defense of the river. Tlie modification of the works 
at Billingsport, recommended by De Coudray, was 
ordered by Congress to be carried out; while Fort 
Mifflin and the earthwork at Red Bank were 
strengthened and improved, and other points were 
fortified, one of them near the mouth of the Darby 
Creek, on the Island of Tinicum. 

On returning to Woodland Avenue from Island 
Road another interesting change of route may be 
made by returning by way of Pine Street instead of 
the Walnut Street route. Among the interesting 
places thus passed are the United States ^aval Home 
and Arsenal. The former was used during Revolu- 
tionary days by Lord Howe's officers, and some of the 
most distinguished men in American naval history 
have been quartered there. 




MAMMOTH BALD CYPRESS TREE AT BARrRA:M's GARDENS. 




LI) SWEDES CHURCH, ON THE BANKS OF THE CHRISTlANxV. 



along t\)t Delatoace to {TOilmington* 



Distance from Philadelphia. 

From twenty-eight to thirty-five miles according to route. 
From seventy-five to eiglity miles for covering side trips and 
return. 

Route. 

By way of Darby, Chester, Linwood and Practical Farmer to 
Wilmington, with picturesque side trips along the Delaware 
River. Return direct by shortest route over Wilmington and 
Chester Pikes. 

Roads. 

Smooth; hard road-bed along both pikes and river road. 

AYhat to See. 

Crozer Hospital and Home for Incurables. 

Camping grounds of Lamokin Avoods and picturesque subur- 
ban Chester. 

Thurlow house and the country seats on Highland Avenue. 

Historic Trainer and Linwood Mills. 

Beautiful summer residences at Claymont. 

Landmarks of Grubb's Landing and charming views along the 
Delaware. 

Gordon Heights and Shellpot Park. 

Historic inns, homesteads and public buildings of Wilmington. 

" Christiana's Memorial Stone " and Old Swedes' Church. 

The rock on which the Swedes landed on Christiana Creek. 



13 




MEMORIAL STOx\E COMMEMORATING THE LANDING OF THE SWEDES 
AT CHRISTIANA (NOW WILMINGTON) IN 1638. 



along tlje Delatoate to CQilmingtom 



A Trip Along the Beautiful Delaware River to One of the Most 
Historic Towns of the Diamond State. 



The run from Philadelphia to Wilming-ton may be 
made within a distance of about twenty-eight miles 
by way of Darby, eight miles; Chester, sixteen miles; 
riding out Seventh Street, in Chester, to Lamokin 
Street, turning left to Second Street, and then turn- 
ing right direct to Lin wood, nineteen miles; Practi- 
cal Farmer, twenty-two miles, and Wilmington, 
twenty-eight miles. For a short spin over good roads 
this will be satisfactory and will allow extra time for 
visiting the landmarks of Wilmington, which are fa- 
mous throughout the country; but for a trip of spe- 
cial delight, with the charm of picturesque views, 
quaint old towns, thriving suburban settlements and 
glimpses of the Delaware River all along the route, 
try a longer and more leisurely journey, that will 
make the distance nearly thirty-five miles from Front 
and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia, to Fourth and 
Market Streets, Wilmington. 

The latter route will lead over that of the former 
for many miles, but it is the short side trips through 
shady woods, and along the smooth road on the river 
front — frequently reached at some distance from the 
main pike that will give special charm to the entire 
journey. 



195 



196 cije amomolJile Coiiti^t 

By running out Seventh Street in Chester — which 
is reached most directly by the Darby route out 
Woodland Avenue — passing the Opera House and 
crossing Chester Creek, we reach the big stone build- 
ings of the Home for Incurables and the Homoeo- 
pathic Hospital, w^hich were built by Lewis Crozer. 
Just beyond we reach Lamokin, which is now a part 
of Chester, and the large camping grounds known as 
Lamokin woods. On reaching Thurlow, or South 
Chester, one of the charming suburban sections of 
the town, we note the picturesque old Thurlow house 
on a nearby hill. This fine old homestead, after 
which the place w^as named, is a large brown struc- 
ture with a tower. On Highland Avenue, one of the 
prettiest thoroughfares, there are many beautiful 
residences, among them being that of Judge Thomas 
J. Claghorn, of Delaware County. There are beau- 
tiful views all along this section of the route. To the 
left the Delaware Eiver is visible, while to the right 
a beautiful rolling country spreads a panorama of 
charming rural scenery before one, between the 
roadway and the river lie the tracks of the Pennsyl- 
vania Eailroad. The old village of Trainer is next 
reached, with its historic mills, and its three fine old 
homesteads, all belonging in the past to three differ- 
ent members of the Trainer family — the family that 
gave the name to the place. The Linwood mills are 
then passed, the little village of Linwood, and a beau- 
tiful stretch of meadow land before the Delaware 



along tlje Delatoate* lor 

State line is crossed. A sign post by the roadway 
marks the spot. 

COUNTRY SEATS BEYOND DELAWARE STATE LINE. 

The first point of interest passed in Delaware is 
Claymont. Many wealthy Philadelphians have sum- 
mer residences here. The handsome '' Brown Place/' 
the country seat of J. Edward Addicks, and ^' Hill- 
side/' belonging to H. L. Evans^ with its park-like 
grounds and winding driveways, prove particularly 
attractive. We can continue straight along the pike 
from this point and shorten the journey somewhat, 
but it will be much more interesting to follow the 
trolley road which plunges into deep woods beyond 
Claymont. The ride through the woods is especially 
attractive in summer; for a quarter of a mile or more 
it is shaded and cool, with beautiful views down the 
forest aisles, and as the road sweeps out of the Avoods 
and through the fields beyond, a magnificent view of 
the Delaware River is enjoyed. The roadway is but 
slightly above the river's bank at this point, and be- 
fore the traveler stretches a magnifi^cent sweep of 
water, dotted with lazy sailboats, busy tugs, stately, 
tall-masted vessels and important, fussy steamers. 
This on the left of the road, while on the right, and 
sloping upward from the river, are many handsome 
country seats. 

After leaving the woods and the fields, through 
which the roadway provides good traveling for the 



198 



Cfte automotJile Couri0t* 



automobilist, we reach Grubb's Landing, a small set- 
tlement directly on the river. An attractive stone 
house on a nearby hill is a sort of hotel or club, and 
the Prosperity Club can be seen on the right, nearer 
the river. The little village of Hollyoak next at- 
tracts attention, and we note the picturesque " Bond 
Place," the famous ^^ Hollyoak Farm," belonging to 




OUTSIDE ENTRANCE TO CHURCH GALLERY AT OLD SWEDES. 



Mr. Putter, and other fine country places with attrac- 
tive lawns and lily ponds, ^ear Hollyoak the road- 
way crosses a bridge forty feet above a miniature rail- 
road — a little narrow-gauge affair, built to haul the 
product of a nearby quarry to a wharf on the river. 
It is owned by the firm who built the extension to the 



along the DeUitoare* 199 

Delaware Breakwater, the stone from this quarry, 
which is near Belleviie, being used for the purpose. 

A SUCCESSION OF BEAUTIFUL SCENIC VIEWS. 

On approaching Bellevue, the beautiful country 
home of Chief Justice Charles B. Lore, of Delaware, 
appears on the left, and the handsome castle-like 
home of Louis Du Pont is also visible on the left. 
The roadway now makes a gradual but quite percepti- 
ble ascent, and though it trends away from the river, 
the scenery really becomes more beautiful than ever. 
In about a mile the top of this long hill is reached, 
and here the view is superb. On one side is the river, 
which can be seen for a distance of nearly twelve 
miles. Chester is visible from this point on clear 
days, and also Philadelphia City Hall. The river is 
a mile and a half Avide here, yet the elevation of the 
roadway is such that on clear, bright days one can 
easily get glimpses far inland in 'New Jersey. Look- 
ing back over the road we have ascended, it appears 
to lie in picturesque weaves, ascending and descending. 
There has been a long climb to the summit of the hill 
view, with easy grade and good traA^eling for autos 
all the way. 

Gordon Heights, the next place passed, is well 
named, as it stands on a very high elevation, with a 
succession of views of the Delaware far below and 
fine meadows reaching out and extending to the bluff. 
Here the road turns to the right, and again plunges 



200 Cfte automotiile Couri0t 

into the woods and continues in a west war dly direc- 
tion until it again strikes the pike, and then proceeds 
south towards Wilmington. On the left is the Weir 
homestead, wdiereon is a spring with reputed won- 
derful medicinal qualities. To judge by hearsay, this 
spring outvies all the patent medicines ever adver- 
tised. 

Beyond the Mineral Springs we reach Shellpot 
Park, a favorite pleasure resort with the people of 
Wilmington and Chester. Connected with Shellpot 
Park by a bridge is Malin's Grove. 

On entering Wilmington from this point we pro- 
ceed through the historic Xinth Ward, knoAvn as 
Brandywine Village, the scene of many interesting- 
events connected with the early history of the coun- 
try. The far-famed Brandywine Creek is crossed, 
and we proceed up Market Street, past the homes of 
prominent Delawareans, till we reach the Isew Cas- 
tle County Court House at Tenth and Market Streets 
— tlie business section of the city. After appeasing 
hunger, and resting at one of the historic inns for 
which Wilmington is justly famous, short runs should 
be taken to various parts of the old town to visit its 
noted landmarks. 

MONUMENT TO FIRST SWEDES IN NEW WORLD. 

Close to the shore of Christiana Creek, just below 
the boat landing, and surrounded by factories, ship- 
yards and foundries, stands a piece of rough stone 



along tlje Delatoare^ 



201 



surrounded by an iron fence. Tliis monument was 
erected bv the Delaware Society of the Colonial 
Dames of America, March 29th, 1903, to commemo- 
rate the landing of the Swedes at Christiana, now 
Wilmington, and to mark the place where stood Chris- 
tinaham, the 1irst permanent settlement bv the 
Swedes in the Xew World. 




BUILDING Oi' lllSTOKICAL SOCIETY OF DELAWARE. 



The settlement was conducted by Peter ]\Imuit, 
who had been director-general of the Dutch West 
India Company and Governor of Xew Amsterdam. 

The ships liaying on board the first Swedish colony 
for America sailed from Gottenburg and arrived in 
the Delaware River in 1G38. Proceeding up the 



202 C!)e automobile Couti0t 

river they selected the point of land lying between 
the Christiana Creek and the Brandywine Creek. 
Here they bnilt a fort, and commenced the settle- 
ment ^^dlich is now Wilmington. 

Reorns Torkillins, their "first clergyman, came 
with the expedition in 1638, and officiated in the lit- 
tle chapel within the fort nntil his death in 1646. 

"OLD SWEDES" AND OTHER CHURCHES. 

In May, 1608, the corner-stone was laid for their 
new chnrch, and in 1699 the building was completed. 
To-day the famous Old Swedes Church stands as the 
most ancient, and, indeed, almost the only real monu- 
ment to show that there was a Swedish settlement on 
the banks of the Christiana. But very few, if any, 
of their old dwelling houses remain, and their poster- 
ity, a mixed race, cannot be distinguished from their 
fellow-citizens. 

For nearly a hundred years the old church and the 
quaint little Swedish settlement stood by itself, along 
the banks of the Christiana Creek, and perhaps half a 
mile away from the thriving city of Wilmington ; but 
now the land improvement has extended all around 
the famous old landmarks. Wilmington lies between 
two rivers, the one adapted to navigation and com- 
merce and the other to manufacturing. In many 
respects Wilmington is a direct counterpart of Phila- 
delphia. The streets are laid out at right angles to 
each other, and those running from river to river are 



along tbe Delatuace^ 203 

crossed by those named nunierically. In fact, there is 
a striking resemblance between AVilmington and 
Philadelphia in a great many ways. 

Many old buildings of interest stand in Wilming- 
ton. Among the oldest are the First Presbyterian 
Church, the City Hall and the old Friends' Meeting 
House. The first house for divine worship built in 
Wilmington was erected by the Society of Friends in 
1738. About ten years afterward the Society had 
become so large that they built another meeting 
house. This building stood until 1817, ^vhen it was 
taken down, the Society having built, two years pre- 
ceding, the large building on West Street, which it 
now uses. 

In 1827 the Society divided, and those who left 
built for themselves a new meeting house at the cor- 
ner of Tatnall and Mnth Streets. It is built of frame, 
and is still in good condition. 

The second church edifice built in Wilmington is 
that of the Presbyterian Meeting House, on Market 
Street, near Tenth. The ground on wdiich it stands 
was purchased of Timothy Stidham. This quaint, 
old-fashioned building was erected in 1740, the date 
of which is still to be seen in the northeast wall. 
Later the Presbyterians built two other churches, and 
the original meeting house is now used as the head- 
quarters of the Delaware Historical Society. 

The first public business was transacted by the 
burgesses in the public taverns until after 1774, 



204 Cfte automobile Couri^t 

when they took up headquarters in the Court House 
which adjoined the market place, a structure very 
similar to the Old Court House at Second and Mar- 
ket Streets in Philadelphia. 

In 1798 the City Hall was built. The old-fash- 
ioned building still stands on Market Street, well back 
from the line of the other and more modern build- 
ings. 

Interesting side trips may be taken from Wilming- 
ton to Brandywine Springs, Stanton, etc. Then for 
a direct trip home follow the pikes, without the fre- 
quent turns into woods roads and river drives recom- 
mended for the morning run. 





m^ 








;^^^ 



ROCK ON WHICH THE SWEDISH COLONISTS LANDED IN IGoS, NOW 
A MECCA FOR HISTORY STUDENTS. 



Cfte Hinging iaock0 of Pott0toton* 



D [STANCE FRO^n Philadelphia. 

Forty-five miles from Philadelphia. One hundred miles al- 
lowed for return and side trips. 

EOUTE. 

Going, through Germantown and Chestnut Hill and over the 
Reading and Perkiomen Turnpike. Returning by way of the 
Reading Pike to Plymouth Meeting; thence over to Ambler 
and down the Bethlehem Pike, through Fort Washington to 
Chestnut Hill. 

Roads. 

Smooth hard pike, with few stony places requiring careful 
driving in vicinity of Pottstown. 

What to See. 

Landmarks along the " old Indian trail " of Germantown. 

Monument marking Lafayette encampment at Barren Hill. 

Ancient church and hostelry at Barren Hill. 

Abandoned quarries of Marble Hall. 

Historic Plymouth Meeting House. 

Home of Thomas Hovenden at Plymouth Meeting. 

Landmarks of Xorristown and vicinity. 

Inns and homesteads of old Pottstown. 

The famous Ringino- Rocks of Pottstown. 



Cf)e lafnsing iaock0 of Pott0toton* 



Visits to Abandoned Marble Quarries and Along Picturesque 
Waterways to an Acre of Famous Musical Boulders. 



Direct from the heart of the city to Pottstown and 
Ringing Rocks is a distance of abont forty-five miles. 
There are many attractive side trips, with good roads, 
to interesting points, that will make the excursion 
well worth an all-day trip to Ringing Rocks and 
return, when automobiling for pleasure. One may 
take a choice of several good roads from down to^vn 
through Germantown, Mount Airy and Chestnut Hill 
to City Line, which is a popular meeting place when 
several autos are to join in the rim. The best road to 
Germantown is out Broad Street to Cayuga, then 
turn left on Cayuga Street to Germantown Avenue. 

If it is desirable to view the many historic houses, 
and the sites teeming with incidents of the early set- 
tlement of the city found on both sides of German- 
town Avenue from Wayne Junction to Mount Airy, 
it will be well to follow this ancient thoroughfare, 
which was originally an Indian trail. It is well 
paved, but the Belgian blocks make rough riding. A 
smoother road is to take Wayne Avenue at Wayne 
Junction, by going a block further on Cayuga. At 
Chelten Avenue and Wayne, turn to the right one 
block to Greene Street, and follow the smooth mac- 
adam road to Pelhara by way of Greene and Upsal 

207 



208 Cfte automobile Couri0t 

Streets. Bear to the left in Pelham, following the 
smooth road on McCallum Street; from this point 
there are good roads at every turn leading to the Wis- 
sahickon Inn and the Horse Show grounds. Turn to 
the right here on Willow Grove Avenue to Seminole 
Avenue, and thence to Germantown Avenue by way 
of Highland Avenue, and follow the Germantown 
Avenue trolley to City Line. 

From this point there is a fine, smooth pike to Bar- 
ren Hillj one mile from City Line. A short turn to 
the left will take one to the heights of Barren Hill, 
to the monument marking the spot where Lafayette 
encamped during the Revolution, to the ancient Bar- 
ren Hill Church, and other historic points of this 
famous settlement, including the old hostelry of 
Colonial days, kept by Conrad Beau, in 1779. Re- 
turning to the pike one continues to Plymouth Meet- 
ing, two miles beyond Barren Hill, passing the 
famous marble quarries of Marble Hall on the way. 

OLD MARBLE QUARRIES OF MARBLE HALL. 

The little old-time settlement of Marble Hall is 
more interesting than any other place of its size on 
the entire trip. The old Hitner homesteads are well 
worth a visit, and both the white and the blue marble 
quarries are eloquent reminders of the industry so 
successfully carried on here half a century ago. The 
^^ white marble '' quarry, the first one encountered on 
the left of the pike, after leaving Barren Hill, has 



pott$toUin'0 Hinging Rack0* 209 

long been one of the most famons in the great mar- 
ble belt. It was from this quarry that the capstone 
of pure white marble was secured for the Washing- 
ton Monument. 

The great depth to which this marble has been 
quarried is a constant wonder in these days, espe- 
cially when it is noticed that the marble still protrud- 
ing near the surface is remarkably fine and white. 
It is asserted on good authority that this long quarry 
— now nearly filled with water — is between two and 
three hundred feet deep, and that the marble con- 
tinued to improve throughout this unusual depth, 
wlien the springs encountered in the quarrying 
fiooded until pumps were useless, and it was neces- 
sary to al)audon the quarry. The '' blue marble 




RUIXS OF OLD MARBLE ^^■ORKS NEAR BLUE MARBLE QUARRY. 
14 



210 Cbe Automobile Couri^n 

quarry/' a little fm-tlier up the pike, has also been 
dug to a great depth, and is especially picturesque in 
its surroundings. 

These are only two of many abandoned marble 
quarries in this portion of Montgomery County. 
Thirty or forty years ago marble was the most im- 
portant building stone furnished by Montgomery 
County. Hitner's, Potts's, Henderson's and Derr's 
quarries were the principal ones in the county, and 
they furnished not only Montgomery, but also Phila- 
delphia County, with marble for building purposes. 

AN IMMENSE LIMESTONE BELT. 

The great limestone belt of Montgomery County, 
which for nearly a century has furnished immense 
quantities of m.arble and lime, commences in Abing- 
ton Township, about a mile and a half north of 
Abington. At this point it is narrow, but it widens 
as it extends westward, entering the northern corner 
of Cheltenham Township, and becoming a broad belt 
of limestone as it extends through Whitemarsh, 
Plymouth and Upper Merion Townships, and the 
Chester Valley, into Lancaster County, as far as the 
source of Big Beaver River. The total length of this 
immense limestone belt is fifty-eight miles, and the 
average width is two and a half miles, and at no 
other section are deeper quarries of fine marble found 
than at old Marble Hall. 



Pott0toU3n'0 Ringing lIlDCk0* 211 

llie Hitner liomesteaclsj still standing in this little 
settlement, are of special interest. The one known 
as the Daniel Hitner Mansion, was famous for its 
extensive marble porch, which seemed a wonderful 
affair to the A'illagers when built in the long ago. 
The entire floor and foundation of front and side 
porclies consist of big slabs of finely-veined marble — 
beautiful even in the decay and dilapidation of the 
old mansion. The still older Hitner homestead — 
standing on the pike near the roadway leading back 
to the blue marble quarry — is said to have been built 
in 1785; and in its rear are the ruins of the old mar- 
ble works. Fine samples are noticed in the surround- 
ing soil, or white, blue and mottled marble, which 
attract many geologists to the place. 

eJust beyond Marble Hall is quaint old Plymouth 
Meeting. The name is applied both to the old 
Friends' Meeting House and to the little settlement 
surrounding it. 

At Plymouth Meeting there are several fine side 
trips o^^er good roads. Turn to the right on Butler 
Pike for Broad Axe and Ambler, or to the left for 
Oonshohocken, with its Revolutionary mills and land- 
marks. Or if side trips are not desirable at this point 
■continue on ont the smooth Reading Pike through 
Plymouth Meeting, to Hickorytown, one mile be- 
yond, past the ancient Friends' Meeting House, and 
the home of the artist, Thomas Hovenden (famous 
for his celebrated pictures, " Breaking Home Ties," 



212 



Cfte automo&ile Couri^t 



'^ P'oimciing the State," '' Bringing Home the Bride," 
etc.), and thence on to Hickorytown, a place 
noted for military traveling over a centnry 
ago. Two rather steep hills are climbed be- 
tween Plymonth ]\[eeting and Ilickorytown. The 
one known as Sandy Hill would have been a draw- 
back to automobilinc; bv this route a few years a2:o. 




illSTOKIC rLYMOLTll MEETlxNGllOUSE. 



but there is now a fine hard roadbed here, and on for 
four miles further straight ahead to ^orristown. 

At Norristowii, out De Kalb Street, is a favorite 
road for many side trips. In former times this was a 
part of ^ew State Road opened in 1830 and extend- 
ing through Bucks, Montgomery and Chester Coun- 
ties, and a portion of Maryland, from New Hope on 



Pott0taton'0 llingins Kocks* 213 

the Delaware to Port Deposit on the Susquehanna. 
To continue the route direct from Norristown to 
Einging Rocks, proceed out Main Street, Xorris- 
town, from De Kalb Street, and on out the straight, 
smooth road leading direct to JefPersonville, three 
miles beyond, thence to Eagleville, two and one- 
quarter miles from Jeffersonville, and on to College- 
ville, three and three-quarter miles. At Collegeville 
the main road crosses over Perkiomen Creek by the 
historic bridge built in 1799, and at the right, above 
the bridge, stands the famous Perkiomen Bridge 
Hotel. The smooth pike road continues through Col- 
legeville to Trappe, one mile beyond, where the old- 
est Lutheran Church in America is noticed on the 
right, and the ancient Trappe Hotel on the left. 

CAREFUL DRIVING NEEDED. 

The road continues good to Limerick Square, three 
and one-half miles from Trappe. From Limerick 
Square there is four miles to Sanatoga, and four more 
to Pottstown, of stony road, hard on the tires — ^not 
the loose stone of fresh macadam roads, but sharp 
ridges of big stones embedded in the roadbed. But 
it is best to continue on the stony pike road, and 
avoid mishap hj careful driving; any attempt to find 
smoother traveling by promising* turns off from the 
main roadbed will result in failure. 

At Hanover Street, Pottstown, turn to the right 
and follow the trolley line to Ringing Rocks, a dis- 



214 C!)e automobile ^omi^u 

tance of nearly four miles. This is also a rough road 
compared with the smooth pike road between City 
Line and Sanatoga, but one is well repaid for the 
short four miles of rough-riding by a visit to the 
famous Ringing Rocks. They consist of a curious 
bed of trap rock, exceedingly hard and compact, 
which produce rich musical tones on being struck 
with a hammer. They are piled one on another and 
cover over an acre and a half of ground. The largest 
rock is said to weigh from twenty to twenty-five tons, 
and some of the crevices are visible to a depth of 
twenty-five feet. A number of impressions can be 
seen on them, among which are three closely resem- 
bling a human foot, from three to six inches in 
depth ; and there are also impressions resembling the 
tracks of horses, elephants and cannon balls. The 
sounds emitted by these rocks are various, depending 
on their size and shape; some, when struck, resem- 
bling the ringing of anvils, others of church bells, 
with all the intermediate tones. In fact, it is 
claimed that there is not a note in music that has not 
here a corresponding key. As Aristotle has stated 
that in every block of marble there is a statue, but it 
takes a sculptor to find it, so it might be said of these 
rocks, in every one there is some note in music, but it 
might require the aid of a musician to verify it. 

The German inhabitants of the neighborhood, 
from an early period, have given this hill the name 
of Klingleberg, signifying Ringing Hill. The exten- 



Pott0totun'0 Uinging Clock0* 215 

sive hill on which the acre and a half of ringing rocks 
are situated is now known as Stone Hill. On the 
western end of this hill, about two miles from Potts- 
town, a fine view is obtained of the surrounding 
country. The hills of the Schuylkill can be traced in 
Chester and Berks Counties for thirty or forty miles. 




OLDEST LL THEHAX CHURCH IN AMERICA AT TRAPPE. 



On the return trip, folloAv the same route to 
Plymouth Meeting, and on reaching Butler Pike turn 
to the left for Ambler and take the fine roadway of 
Bethlehem Pike from Ambler, through Fort Wash- 
ington and Plourtown to Chestnut Hill. 




AN ALUKIXG .STKETCH OF COL NTKY KOADWAY. 



(BitVtxitntt^ of a Run to aBa0tDn. 

DlSTA>fCE FROM PHILADELPHIA. 
About sixty miles direct by way of Willow Grove, Doyles- 
town and Diirhain Furnace. Seventy-five miles by way of 
Betlilehem Pike and Allentown. A delightful trip that may be 
made to cover two hundred and twenty-five miles, including 
side trips and return. 

Route. 

Through Germantown and Chestnut Hill to Bethlehem Pike. 
Along the pike to Fort Washington, Ambler, Lansdale, Souder- 
ton, Telford Junction, Sellersville, Quakertown and Allentown. 
From Allentown to Easton by way of Bethlehem and Farmers - 
ville, with side trips in vicinity to Easton. Return by way of 
Raubsville, Eiegelsville, Durham Furnace, Kintnersville, Otts- 
ville, Pipersville, Plumsteadville, Doylestown, Willow Grove 
and Old York Pvoad. 

Roads. 

Good, with the exception of a few rough hill roads in vicinity 
of Easton. None that are really difficult. 

What to See. 

Site of old fort and earthworks at Fort Washington. 

Cliarming views of the Whitemarsh Valley and ancient 
Spring House Inn. 

Quaint old Gwynedd and landmarks of Sumneytown Pike. 

Agricultural works at Lansdale and modern industries of 
near-by villages. 

Telford Junction and the pleasure parks of Branch Creek. 

Interesting old Quakertown and picturesque Rocky Ridge. 

Views of Lehigh Mountains, on approaching Allentown. 

Famous Moravian settlements between Allentown and Eas- 
ton. 

Lafayette College, and the Paxinosa and other noted inns in 
the Weygadt Mountain. 

Numerous attractions of the Durham Hills, on slope of Mus- 
conetong Mountain. 

Old paper mills and modern industries in the Lehigh Valley. 

One of the earliest furnaces erected in L^nited States, at the 
mouth of Durham Creek. 

Ancient industries of Riegelsville and Kintnersville. 

The old Governor Keith mansion at Graeme Park. 



(B^ptvitnct^ of a Hun to (Easton* 



A Tour of Varied Interests, in Which Plenty of Time Should 
Be Allowed for Leisurely Enjoyment. 



For constant variety in scenic beauty, historic at- 
tractions and modern interests, there are few auto 
trips within the same mileage limit to compare with 
a run from Philadelphia to Easton. By the most 
direct routes, that offer the maximum of varied 
attractions, the run may be made within the limit of 
seventy-five miles, by way of Germantown, the Beth- 
lehem Pike, Quakertown, AllentoAvn and Bethlehem, 
with a sixty-mile journey direct, by way of Raubs- 
ville, Riegelsville, Doylesto^vn, and down the Old 
York Road for the return trip. But many alluring 
side trips may nearly double this mileage, when one 
has the time and the inclination for a longer journey. 

While the average automobilist with a speedy road 
car may desire to make the journey for the mere sake 
of the " run '' (as there are many long stretches on the 
way where one is not bothered with speed restric- 
tions), they will find it an ideal winter run. Those 
who wish to take the journey for leisurely enjoyment 
will find it a more desirable summer trip, and they 
may be interested in the experience of the writer in 
making it a tour of special pleasuring, allowing three 
full days for it, and including frequent side trips, 
carefully arranged in advance, that would make the 

219 



220 Cl)c automobile Coun0t 

actual number of miles traveled about 225, or 75 
miles per day. 

Allowing ten hours for each day's journeying, this 
gave ample opportunity for visiting historic places, 
studying novel manufacturing interests along the 
way, inspecting anything new in farming implements 
and experimental crops, studying the quaint manners 
and customs of Pennsylvania-Dutchland and secur- 
ing numerous photographs, wdiile keeping within the 
low average of seven and one-half miles per hour, in 
w^hich only a small proportion of each hour was de- 
voted to actual traveling. Frequently the side shows 
proved so interesting that an hour or more was spent 
at a single stopping place, making it necessary to 
travel from fifteen to thirty miles during the next 
hour to keep up the average. 

HISTORIC SPRING HOUSE. 

It was decided to go by way of Lansdale and Allen- 
town, a distance of sixty miles, allowing fifteen miles 
for side trips, and making Allentown the first night's 
stopping place. The Bethlehem Pike proved such a 
tempting speedway that few stops were made be- 
tween Chestnut Hill and Spring House, although 
time was allowed for a slight detour to visit Wash- 
ington's headquarters at Fort Washington, to climb 
the hill to the site of the old fort, where a flagstaff 
now marks the grassgrown earthworks, and to enjoy 
the magnificent view of the Whitemarsh Valley. 



a Run to (!Ba$ton* 221 

Passing through Ambler, Sprmg House is soon 
reached, and an interesting stop was made at the lit- 
tle village because of its historic connections. This 
was a place of renown as early as 169S, and the old 
Spring House Inn Avas a famous stopping place in 
stage coach days. The first stage line from Philadel- 
phia to Bethlehem stopped here, and all travel be- 
tween Philadelphia and Allentown passed the ancient 
hostelry. 

The SumneytoAvn Pike is reached just above Spring- 
House, branching off from the Bethlehem Pike, and 
this more roundabout way was taken in order to visit 
Gwynedd, one of the oldest settlements in this part 
of the country. The little village is situated at the 
intersection of the SumneytoAvn Turnpike and the 
State Road. The two landmarks of special interest 
are the old Priends' meeting house, Avliich was the 
third house of worship erected in the country, and 
the famous William Penn Inn. The name Gwynedd, 
we Avere told, is a corruption of the Welsh Avord 
^^ GAvineth," signifying IvTorth Wales, and also the 
name of a river in the northern part of Wales. The 
village Avas also called ^^ Gwinedith " in the early 
records of the place, and during later years the place 
Avas knoAvn throughout this section as " Acuff's 
TaA^ern.'' 

^Xorth AYales, Lansdale, South Hatfield and 'New 
Hatfield Avere passed in quick succession, AA^th only 
one stop of any length, Avhen the interesting plant of 




HISTORIC DURHAM FURXACE, 




FRESH CHARMS AT EVERY TURM. 



3 Hun to (JBa0ton» 223 

tlie agricultural works at Lansdale, and the numerous 
manufacturing interests of the place were visited. 
Their up-to-date machinery, novel outputs and mod- 
ern methods contrasted pleasantly with the historic 
interests of other stopping places. Souderton — just 
beyond Xew Hatfield — also displays the commercial 
thrift that marks the enterprising towns of this vicin- 
ity. Franconia Square and Franconiaville are old- 
time landmarks, founded by the opening of hotels and 
mechanical industries, the origin of which is now 
scarcely known by the oldest inhabitants of the place, 
and these old towns proved well worth side trips. 

Telford Junction Avas passed about one and a half 
miles above Souderton. The village of Telford 
stands on ground bought in 1737, by Conrad Det- 
terer from Humphrey Murray. The greater part lies 
in Montgomery County, and quite early it became an 
important junction of public roads, what is known as 
the County Line Eoad being opened in 1752. 

EASY GRADES TO CLIMB. 

After passing Sellersville — three and a half miles 
above Telford Junction — the hills began to appear, 
but hill climbing did not prove objectionable over the 
easy grades and the good roadbed, and the constant 
variety in scenery made this one of the most pleasur- 
able sections of the run. We passed the sparkling 
waters of Branch Creek, which provides the boating 
for the picnic and camp meeting grounds popularly 



224 ^t}t automobile Courist 

known as Menlo Park and. Perkasie Park. The fine 
scenery continues throughout the run of seven and a 
half miles from Perkasie to historic Quakertown, 
with its many interesting landmarks. 

Quakertown being about forty-four miles from the 
heart of Philadelphia^ and only thirty-five miles from 
our starting place below Chestnut Hill, we found 
that we had covered more than two-thirds the dis- 
tance during the morning hours, and there was only 
a little over sixteen miles to be traversed between 
Quakertown and Allentown. The side trips of the 
morning increased the actual distance traveled to 
about forty-five miles, leaving only thirty for the 
afternoon to keep within the seventy-five-mile aver- 
age. This was very satisfactory, as it was desirable 
to visit the varied interests of Allentown during the 
afternoon, before putting up for the night, in order 
that we might make an early start the next morning, 
without neglecting the usual sight-seeing of the place. 

The little town of Rocky Ridge, just beyond Quak- 
ertown, was picturesque with its hills and huge boul- 
ders, but it called for more careful driving than any 
other part of the journey. Coopersburg, Center 
Valley and Lenark presented a succession of inspir- 
ing views, that compensated for the inconveniences 
of travel, as we approached the Lehigh Mountains on 
entering Allentown. 

The early morning run from Allentown to Easton 
could have been made in less than an hour, by the 



a Iflun to (Ca0ton* 225 

direct route through Bethlehem and Farmersville, a 
distance of a little less than seventeen miles. We 
made it in a thirty-mile run, requiring nearly five 
hours' time. The side trips to points of interest at Rit- 
tersville, West Bethlehem, Bethlehem, Oakland Park, 
Butztown, IS^'azareth and Farmersville, especially the 
quaint Moravians, and their famous settlement of 
both historic and modern interest, caused the delay, 
which was conceded the most delightful of the entire 
trip. 

MAGNIFICENT VIEWS. 

At Easton we found it an easy climb up College 
Hill to Lafayette College, and thence up the Wey- 
gadt Mountain. We were tempted to spend the 
second day in making side trips to the numerous 
places of interest about Easton and visit the Paxi- 
nosa and other noted inns in the Weygadt Mountain, 
and make the trip from Easton to Philadelphia — 
somewhat less than sixty miles by direct route and 
allo^ring only fifteen miles for side trips — for the 
third day. But fearing this would not allow sufficient 
time for '' doing " the many interesting towns that 
were to be included on the home trip, w^e traveled 
another fifteen miles in the afternoon, making our 
stopping place for the second night in the outskirts 
of Kintnersville. 

Through the Durham Hills, the easy grade along 
the foot of the Pennsylvania slope of the Muscone- 
15 



226 Cbe automotJile Couti^n 

tong Mountain, and on through the broad smooth 
drive where country roadway, trolley and canal run 
side by side in the neighborhood of Kintnersville, 
there was a succession of magnificent views, un- 
equaled in any part of the Lehigh Valley. The 
famous paper mills of Raubsville and Riegelsville 
were visited, and a little further on, at the town 
called Durham Furnace, there was a stop to view the 
ancient furnace at the mouth of the Durham Creek, 
which is said to be one of the earliest furnaces erected 
in the United States, the first blast having been begun 
in 1728. 

After spending the night at Kintnersville, a quick 
rim was made in the morning to Pipersville, with 
brief stops at the towns of Ferndale, Revere, Har- 
row, Ottsville and Tohickon Park. At Pipersville we 
struck the ancient highway to the '' Governor's resi- 
dence " of Dwyer's ^Alills, with good traveling 
through Plumsteadville, Danboro and Dyerstown. 
It was at the request of Governor Keith that this 
road was laid out from Willow Grove to his residence 
in 1722. The following year, 1723, John Dyer, who 
had built a mill in the woods at Plumstead, petitioned 
the court that the road might be continued to his set- 
tlement. This was long known as Dyer's Mill Road, 
and is what is to-day the Main Street of Doylestown. 

After spending some time at the Doylestown court- 
house, with its noted museum of relics and quaint 
household and farming implements of early Pennsyl- 




CAXAL \ Ii:W NEAR RAUBSVILLE. 




ROADWAY ALONG THE CANAL AT KINTNERSVILLE. 



■228 Cfte amomofiile Courist 

vania, it was planned to dine at '^ The Turk/' which 
in the old days was a popular road house. It was 
found that this famous building, which is between 
Doylestown and Edison, is now occupied as a resi- 
dence. It w^as the geographical center of the county, 
and when the subject of removing the courthouse 
from E'ewtown was agitated, many efforts were made 
to have it located at this point. 

" The sign of the Grand Turk " was occupied by 
an enterprising proprietor early in the nineteenth 
century, Septimus Hough, who, in 1808, laid off a 
town and offered a lot of ground for the new county 
seat, but it was of no avail; his Doylestown competi- 
tors won. I 'he afternoon was spent in visiting his- 
toric points at Warrington, I^eshaminy Creek, the 
old mills and the Friends' meeting house at Horsham, 
and the famous Graeme Park, the home of Governor 
Keith, which was reached by leaving the pike and 
passing about a mile down County Line. 

The final home run was made by way of the smooth 
travelinc: and familiar landmarks of Old York Road. 




VIEW ALOXG THE CANAL TO EASTON. 



2DID 13utlington» 



Distance from Philadelphia. 

From nineteen to twenty-six miles according to route on 
Jersey side; and about twenty-two miles by way of Bristol 
Pike to Burlington Ferry at Bristol. Fifty miles for side trips 
and return. 

Route. 

By the shortest route on Jersey side of the Delaware (leav- 
ing the longer Mount Holly route for another trip), take ferry 
at Market Street, Philadelphia; pass out Market Street, Cam- 
den, to " forks of road," and take left fork to Cramer Hill, 
Palmyra, Riverton, Delanco, Beverly, Edgewater Park and Bur- 
lington. For return, cross the Burlington Ferry to Bristol, 
and down the Bristol Pike to Frankford and Philadelphia. 

Roads. 

Mainly fine smooth pikes and well-packed country roadways. 

AA^HAT TO See. 

Historic landmarks and thriving commercial interests of 
Jersey towns and villages. 

Famous trees and homesteads, and St. Mary's School, on the 
Green Bank of Burlington. 

Ancient sycamore tree of unusual dimensions on the " Grubb 
Estate." 

The vine -covered Grant cottage. 

Famous homes of Captain James Lawrence and James Feni- 
more Cooper. 

Ancient inns and St. Mary's Episcopal Church. 

The Benjamin Franklin houses of Burlington. 

Numerous attractions along: the Bristol Pike. 



2DID 13ucIin(ttDn* 



A Circuitous Trip through Interesting Jersey Towns, with 
Return on the Pennsylvania Side of the Delaware. 



There is a choice of two distinct routes on the run 
through :N"ew Jersey, between Philadelphia and Bur- 
lington; and the return trip in Pennsylvania, by way 
of Bristol Pike, offering still another change of view, 
provides additional interest for the outing. The 
distance is about nineteen miles direct from the Cam- 
den ferry to Burlington, by way of Kiverton, De- 
lanco and Burlington Avenue. By taking the longer 
and still more interesting route to include a visit to 
Mount Holly, the distance will be about twenty-six 
and a half miles to Burlington. After crossing the 
Burlington ferry, the return trip, by way of Bristol 
Pike, will cover about twenty-two and a half miles. 

The expense is a trifle more in making the home 
run by way of the Bristol Pike, as the cost at the Bur- 
lington ferry is double that of Camden, for lack of 
competition ; but the proportion is not so great as in 
the overcharge for foot passengers. Where the fer- 
riage for the latter from Philadelphia to Camden is 
three cents, from Bristol to Burlington is ten cents, 
and where the cost of a single-seat automobile on the 
Camden ferry is twenty cents, on the Burlington 
ferry the charge is forty cents, with extra cliarge in 
proportion to the size of the car. 

231 



232 Ci)e automobile Coumt* 

One good route to Burlington on the Jersey side is 
by way of Burlington Pike. To make this run take 
the Market Street ferry and pass out Market Street, 
Camden, to "' forks of road.'^ Here take the left fork 
to Cramer Hill and Five Points Tollgate. Take the 
left-hand road for Palmyra at Pive Points, and on 
reaching Palmyra turn to the right along the railroad 
and follow the road to Riverton, which is nine miles 
from the ferry. 

There is a good road between Eiverton and De- 
lanco by way of Riverside. From Delanco take Bur- 
lington Avenue direct to Beverly, Edgewater Park 
and Burlington. By this route the distance is about 
nineteen miles from Camden ferry. 

FOLLOW THE TROLLEY LINE. 

^ow that the trolley line has been completed from 
Camden ferry to Burlington, by way of Mount Holly, 
there is also almost a continuous line of good roads 
along the trolley line, making safe and rapid travel- 
ing for automobiles by way of Dudley, two and a half 
miles from Camden, thence a half mile to Rosedale, 
one and three-quarter miles to Merchantville, one 
and a quarter miles to Maple Shade, one mile to Le- 
nola, three and a quarter miles to Moor est own, one 
mile to Stanwick, two miles to Hartford, one and a 
quarter miles to Masonville, two and a half miles to 
Hainesport, two miles to Mount Holly and seven and 
a half miles to Burlington. By this route it is about 



SDID TSutlington* 



23; 



twenty-six and a half miles from Camden ferry to 
Burlington, but it is through an interesting part of 
the country, and the nearness to the trolley line 
makes it possible to keep up the full limit of speed. 

In many of the small country towns where trolleys 
are unknown the danger of accidents among country 
horses frequently makes progress slow. Alone; the 




VI^'E-COVEKED - GENERAL GKAXT HOUSE "' OF BURLIxXGTOX. 

trolley lines the horses accustomed to electric cars pay 
very Kttle attention to automobiles, and the traveling 
does not seem so rapid to suspicious country officers 
when compared with the speed of the trolleys. 

Sufficient time should be allowed in making this 
trip to spend an hour or more visiting the famous 
landmarks of Burlington. Clustered along Green 



234 Cfte automobile Coumt 

Bank are famous old trees, historic mansions, and St. 
Mary's Hall, a noted school for girls. A huge syca- 
more tree is still standing on the '^ Grubb estate " on 
Green Bank — the tree to which it is said the good ship 
Kent was tied when the early Quaker pilgrims landed 
at Burlington, or Chygoe's Island, as it was then 
called. It was a town of many names in those early 
days. In June of 16G7 the Kent arrived at an island 
in the Delaware on the Jersey shore, called from an 
old Indian chief Chygoe's Island, and the commis- 
sioners on board the ship proceeded to buy the land of 
the natives. 

FAMOUS INNS AND HOMESTEADS. 

The vine-covered cottage known as the ^^ Grant 
House," in w^hich General Grant is said to have lived 
for a short period during the Civil War, is still stand- 
ing on Wood Street, near Green Bank. Just beyond 
is the historic St. Mary's Episcopal Church, and on 
Broad Street, as well as Main or High Streets, are 
many famous landmarks, which the inhabitants of the 
town are always eager to point out to interested 
visitors. 

Historic inns, of Colonial and Revolutionary fame, 
invite the sightseers to seek refreshment where 
famous personages of the past have been entertained. 
Prominent among the historic inns is the Burlington 
House, near tlie ferry. The little old cabin-like struc- 
ture in which Benjamin Franklin is said to have first 



2DID TSutlington* 



235 



printed paper money is still standing^ as well as the 
home of Fenimore Cooper, the author, and the 
house in which Captain James Lawrence was born, 
October 1st, 1781, and which he still called '^ home " 
when, on the 1st of June, 1813, he commanded the 
Chesapeake in the disastrous encounter with the 
Shannon, on which Captain Lawrence was wounded. 




HOMES OF CAPTAIX JAMES LAWRENCE AND 
JAMES FENIMORE COOPER. 



were, as he was borne, bleeding. 



His last words 
below: " Don't give up the ship." Resistance, how- 
ever, was vain, and the ship surrendered. 

The body of Captain Lawrence was wrapped in the 
colors of his ship and was buried by the British, at 
Halifax, with the honors of war. It was afterwards 



236 Cj)e automobile Couri^t 

removed to Salem, Mass., and finally to Xew York, 
where there is a monument to his memory in Trinity 
churchyard. 

Although Burlington cannot claim the honor of his 
burial place, it glories in the greater honor of being 
the birthplace of the gallant captain, and the " James 
Lawrence House •' is to-day one of the most noted 
landmarks of the town. Burlington has also taken 
special pride in the fact that she possesses the right- 
ful claim to the birthplace of the novelist; and it 
seems rather a remarkable coincidence that the homes 
of James Fenimore Cooper and Captain James Law- 
rence should be adjoining. They stand on the left 
side of the Main Street, above Broad. 

The name of James Fenimore Cooper is naturally 
allied with Cooperstown, Xew York, and many sup- 
pose that he was born there; but, as quaintly de- 
scribed by the old records of Burlington, Cooper 
was born in 1789, " in the last house but one on tlie 
Main Street as it goes into the country." Both tlie 
houses are Avell preserved, and the Cooper house 
is easily distinguished from the novelist's de- 
scription. Although Cooper was born in this old 
house in 1789, and his early boyhood was spent in 
Burlington, while he was still a boy his father 
moved to the Otsego region, and Burlington played no 
further part in his life, except to supply many of the 
characters which he immortalized in his novels. In 
one instance the clever portrayal of the character of 



©ID ISutlinston* 



23' 



a certain Mr. Sorsbv, of Burlington, as ^' Judge Tem- 
ple/' in " The Pioneers," aroused the indignation of 
that eccentric old gentleman and his Burlington 
friends. 

The ancient library of Burlington is also of interest 
to the tourist; and the historic Smith homestead — 
now a drug store near the railroad station — in which 




111 STOKIC SMITH HOMESTEAD AT BURLINGTON 



the famous charity, '' The Burlington Friendly In- 
stitution," is said to have had its beginning. The let- 
ters D. M. S., said to stand for Daniel and Mary 
Smith, and the date 1733, are distinctly outlined 
close under the eaves of the old-time gable roof. 

At Burlington take the ferry for Bristol, and re- 
turn by way of Bristol Pike. The pike is in excellent 



238 Cfte automobile Coun0t 

condition for fast traveling all the way from Bristol 
to Frankford, with the exception of a few blocks in 
the vicinity of Andalusia, which is sandy and rather 
heavy in wet weather, but the remainder of the pike 
is in sufficiently good condition to make up for the 
one bad stretch. 

Where Xeshaminy Creek is crossed by Bristol Pike 
the little village of Bridgewater is passed, with its his- 
toric store, its Ha'Penny Hotel, its famous ivy tree, 
and the huge button wood tree marking the site of the 
ancient Baldwin Ferry. Then Eddington, with its 
noted school for boys, is passed, and further down the 
pike, on approaching Torresdale, the old Red Lion 
Inn stands on the right of the pike on the Poquessing 
Creek. Just above Cottman Street, at Holmesburg, 
is the famous Edwin Forrest Home for retired actors. 

On reaching Frankf ord, by way of Bristol Pike, the 
most direct route to the city is by way of Frankford 
Avenue to Nicetown Lane, and on down to Broad 
Street by way of Erie Avenue and Rising Sun Lane. 
For a change in making this homeward trip one may 
go from Holmesburg to Broad Street without passing 
through Frankford, by taking the old Township Line 
or Cottman Street, at Holmesburg, to Old Second 
Street Pike. Out the smooth, fine roadway of Second 
Street Pike past the droveyards, Feltonville and 
Olney, to Fifth Street, down Fifth Street to Rising 
Sun Lane, out Rising Sun Lane to Broad Street and 
down Broad. 



©etmantoton anD Cftestnut l^iU* 



Distance from Philadelphia. 

About ten miles from Broad and Market Streets. Twenty- 
five miles will cover return and side trips. 

EOUTE. 

Out Broad Street to Cayuga; out Cayuga to Germantown 
Avenue, and out Germantown Avenue to Chestnut Hill. Re- 
turn by way of Lincoln Drive from Johnson Street, and down 
the East River Drive, through Fairmount Park to the city. 

EOADS. 

Belgian blocks out Germantown Avenue. Broad Street and 
River Drives smooth traveling. 

What to See. 

Logan, Armat and Neglee properties in vicinity of Wayne 
Junction. 

The Toland, Mehl and Ottinger homesteads on the Avay to 
Fisher's Lane. 

The Wagner and Henry Houses and Lower Burying Ground 
at Fisher's Lane, with the early (Germantown Mills on side trip 
oirt the Lane. 

The Commodore Barron and Thones Kunder Houses, and 
General Wayne Hotel at JNIanheim and Main; and landmarks 
on side trip out Manheim Street. 

Site of " Ye Roebuck Inn," the Frederick Fraley carpen- 
ter shop, and the Sauer printing establishment; the Freas 
Homestead and four interesting Wister properties. 

The Baynton, Hacker or Conyngham, Howell, Handsberry 
and Bringhurst properties. 

House in which type was first cast in America. 

Numerous landmarks surrounding the JNIorris House, or 
" The Germantown White House," for a time the home ot 
President Washington and the seat of government. 

Famous homesteads between Chelten Avenue and Upsal 
Streets. 

Landmarks of Germantown Battlefield. 

Picturesque views along famous River Drives. 



(Scrmantoton anD Cftestnut l^ilL 



An Afternoon Ride Among Famous Historical Associations of 
Colonial and Revolutionary Days. 



Along the old Indian trail, known varionsly as the 
Great Koad, Gennantown Koad, Germantown Ave- 
nne and Main Street, a greater number of historic 
landmarks may be visited between Wayne Junction 
and Chestnut Hill than in any other stretch of road- 
way of equal length, within the State of Pennsylva- 
nia. The motorists who make the run through Ger- 
mantown and Chestnut Hill — for reaching the Read- 
ing and Bethlehem Pikes and Old York Road — by 
way of the smoother roadways on Greene Street and 
Wayne Avenue, will enjoy the smoother traveling at 
the expense of interesting sightseeing. An entire 
afternoon may be spent to advantage without travel- 
ing more than ten miles from the heart of Philadel- 
phia; and the entire journey of varied interests, with 
side trips, need not cover more than twenty-five miles, 
including the run along the landmarked Indian trail, 
with return by way of the Lincoln Drive, along the 
picturesque Wissahickon and the East River Drive 
through the Park. 

The rough traveling over the lower section of Ger- 
mantown Road, below Cayuga Street, need not be 
encountered, as tlie few historic sites in the vicinity 
of old Rising Sun and Fair Hill section will scarcely 

241 

in 



242 



Cfte amomoftile Couri^t 



be worth the roughing, when smooth Broad Street 
will lead directly to the principal points of interest. 
The best route is by way of the familiar run out 
Broad Street to Cayuga. Turn left on Cayuga 
Street to Germantown Avenue ; but just before reach- 
ing the avenue take one of the side streets to the right 
of Cavno'a to visit Stenton, below Wavne Junction. 




WHITE COTTAGE, OF EARLY SILVER FORK FAME. 



The handsome old brick mansion has remained prac- 
ticallv unchanc'ed since it was built, in 1728, as the 
country seat of James J^ogan, who first held the im- 
portant offices of secretary and confidential friend of 
William Penn, and afterwards held, in addition to 
this, many other important offices, being not only Sec- 



(Sermantoton* 24a 

retary of the Province, but Commissioner of Prop- 
erty, member of the Provincial Council, and for some 
time President of the Council and Chief Justice of 
Pennsylvania. 'Not only the ancient mansion now in 
the possession of the Colonial Dames, with its collec- 
tion of colonial and revolutionary relics, but the ad- 
joining servants' quarters and kitchens, the old-fash- 
ioned gardens, the picturesque old burial ground on 
the hill slope back of the mansion, the famous under- 
ground passage which led to the stables, and the 
secret passage ways within the mansion, all possess a 
charm for the history student and the sight-seeing 
motorist. 

LANDMARKS OF NEGLEE'S HILL. 

Take the short run from Stenton to Germantown 
Avenue at Wayne Junction; at the left of the ave- 
nue, just beyond the Junction, at ISTos. 4518 and 
4520 Germantown Avenue, is the old i^eglee prop- 
erty, surrounded by Revolutionary traditions. One 
of the ]^eglee sisters, who faced the red coats in her 
home after the Battle of Germantown, married a 
Hessian who was captured by Washington at Tren- 
ton, and who afterwards became a good citizen of 
Germantown. The hill above Wayne Junction, start- 
ing from the ]^egiee houses and leading up to Lou- 
doun, long occupied by descendants of the Logan 
family, is called I^ogan's Hill, though perhaps more 
commonly known by the name of x^eglee's Hill. 



244 ci)e automolJile Couri^t 

The mansion at the top of the hill, Avhere Apsley 
Street cuts into Main Street, or Germantown Ave- 
nue, has been known as the Armat property, and the 
Logan property. But the popular name for the place 
for many years past is ^' Loudoun,'^ so called from the 
fact that its first owner, Thomas Armat, settled in 
Loudoun County, Ya., before coming to German- 
towm. The Logan family, now residing at '' Lou- 
doun," are descendants of Thomas Armat and James 
Logan, of Stenton. 

The best known landmarks continue on the left of 
the roadway along this section. Just above '^ Lou- 
doun," at 1^0. 4810 Main Street, is the Toland house 
of bread-making fame. At the time of the Battle of 
Germantown, when the property was in the possession 
of George Miller, an officer in the American Army, 
a dozen or more British officers were quartered there, 
and Mrs. Miller was set to work baking bread for the 
British. The end of the rambling old mansion is 
towards the avenue, with entrances on the north and 
south sides. 

Next, two old homesteads of special interest are 
noticed on the right of the avenue ; these are the Mehl 
house, at 'No. 4817, and the Ottinger house, at No. 
4825 Main Street. Several soldiers killed in the Bat- 
tle of Germantown are said to have been buried at the 
gateway of the IMehl property, so called for the family 
that owmed and occupied the place a century or more 
ago. The Ottinger house recalls the brave Captain 



©ermantoton* 245 

Douglas Ottinger, a captain of the United States 
Revenue Marine, to whom many shipwrecked mari- 
ners owed their lives in the past. He was the inven- 
tor of the Ottinger life car, and in 1849 he equipped 
eight life-saving stations on the JNTew Jersey coast with 
complete and effective life-saving apparatus. The old 
homestead in which Captain Ottinger was born, De- 
cember 11th, 1804, was built in 1781 by his father, 
Christopher Ottinger, a soldier of the Pennsylvania 
line. It is an interesting type of old-time house con- 
struction; the walls are two feet thick, even the par- 
tition on the first floor being of stone; and the rafters 
in some parts of the building are unhewn trees. 

Again the attention is attracted on the left of the 
road to the Wagner house, at 'No. 4840 Main Street, 
and the Henry house, at No. 4908. The Wagiier 
house was built in 1747, and was known as the Mech- 
lin house before it came into the possession of the 
Wagner family. It was used as one of the main hos- 
pitals of Germantown after the battle; the big 
wooden doors of the stable in the rear of the home- 
stead are said to liave been taken from their hinges 
and used as operating tables, and many who died 
there w^ere buried in a trench on the grounds. The 
Henry house — the oldest portion of which was erected 
in 1760 — was in the possession of the Henry family 
for many years, and Alexander Henry, three times 
Mayor of Pliiladelphia, and a member of Congress, 
lived here when a bov. 



246 



^bt automobile Couri0t 



"LOWER BURYING GROUND" 
SURROUNDINGS. 



AND NOTED 



On the right of the road, opposite the Henry house, 
is the noted Lower Burying Ground, or Hood's Bury- 
ing Ground, the latter name having been given in 
honor of William Hood, who left money at his death 
for the erection of the marble wall along the front. 
The graveyard was presented to the ancient settle- 
ment of Germantown in 1693 by Jan Streepers, and 
many old tombstones, with quaint inscriptions, inter- 
est the sightseer. 




THE OLD WISTER MANSION. 



©ermamoton* 247 

Tlie history of the Thones Kunder house, at 'No. 
5109, is briefly told on a tablet placed beside the 
doorw^ay, by the Site and Relic Society of German- 
town. The Barron house, at No. 5106 Main Street, 
was occupied by Commodore James Barron, in 1842, 
while he was in command of the Philadelphia ITavy 
Yard. At the corner of Main and Manheim Streets 
stands the historic General Wayne Hotel. 

A side trip out Manheim Street at this point will 
take the tourist past the Roset house, once owned by 
the famous Frenchman, Jacques Marie Roset, at the 
southwest corner of Manheim and Portico Streets; 
and the equally noted ^' White Cottage," at the cor- 
ner of Manheim and I^ox Streets, said to be the 
place where silver forks were first used in German- 
town; while still further out Manheim Street is the 
old Fraley mansion and the Price homestead, at the 
entrance to the grounds of the Manheim Club. 

Returning to the Main Street, the giant button- 
wood tree, on the west side of Main Street, above 
Manheim, stood in front of the old Buttonwood Tav- 
ern, originally ^' Ye Roebuck Inn," of Revolutionary 
days, and now the Heft property. No. 5151 Main 
Street was the home of Philip R. Freas and the early 
'^ Village Telegraph," and on the site of the St. 
Stephen's Methodist Church stood the famous old 
carpenter shop of Frederick Fraley. 

" The Corvy," or the William Wynne Wister 
house, at No. 5140 Main Street — with the " ancient 



248 



Cfte automobile Coun0t 



Ashmead relic " standing on the front lawn — is 
worthy of special notice. It is still known as the 
^^ Gilbert Stuart Honse/' as it was occupied by the 
famous painter in 1794-95, and it is claimed that in 
the barn-studio, then standing at the back of the 
house, the noted Stuart portrait of Washington was 




MORRIS HOUSE, OK '" GERMAIS'TOWX WHITE HOUSE. 



painted. Other Wister houses are on the opposite 
side of the street. At Xos. 5203 and 5205 — which 
was formerly one house, now nearly a century old — 
Owen Wister was born in IS GO. His parents, Dr. 
Owen J. and Sarah Butler Wister (the latter a 
daughter of Pierce and Fanny Kemble Butler) were 



aetmantotun* 240 

residing here temporarily while the house at Ko. 
5253 Main Street was being built by Dr. Wister. The 
latter house, at ^o. 5253 Main Street, occupies the 
site of the historic home and printing establishment 
of Christopher Sauer, who, in 1743, issued the first 
Bible in an European language printed in America. 
This Avas forty years before an English Bible was 
printed in the colonies. The Wister house, at No. 
5261 Main Street, is the third on the right of Main 
Street known by the name, although the only one to 
Avhich the Wister name is popularly applied in these 
days. It was built by John Wister in 1744, and is 
now in the possession of his great-grandson, Mr. 
Charles J. Wister. l^o. 5219 Main Street is the John 
Bringhurst homestead, of " Germantown wagon " 
fame. 

WHERE AMERICAN TYPE WAS BORN. 

Returning again to the left side of the street, we 
find above the William Wynne Wister house, of Gil- 
bert Stuart renown, tlie Baynton, the Hacker or 
Conyngham, the Howell and the Handsberry houses 
— all of historic interest, about wliich many Revolu- 
tionary traditions cluster. While still further up the 
Main Street, on the same side of the roadway, at the 
southwest corner of Main Street and Queen Lane, is 
an ancient building, now a store, which was formerly 
a noted inn, known as the Indian Queen. The 
ancient hostelry o;ave the name to the street, which 



250 Cl)e automobile Coun0t* 

was originally known as Bowman's Lane, then Indian 
Queen Lane, and later as Queen Street. On the oppo- 
site corner of Main and Queen Streets, at ISTo. 5300, 
stands one of the ancient Sauer properties. It is 
claimed that the type which w^as cast by the Sauers, 
in 1772-1773, w^as made in the cellar of this building; 
this was said to be the first type cast in America. The 
house is now used as the parsonage of the Trinity 
Lutheran Chruch. 

Xo. 5267 Main Street, was the home of the "strong 
man of GermantoAvn," Anthony Gilbert, the black- 
smith. On the same side of the street, at !Nos. 5275 
and 5277, is the house occupied by the Germantown 
National Bank from 1825 to 1868; the building was 
also occupied at one time by Thomas Jefferson, Sec- 
retary of State, and Edmund Randolph, Attorney 
General of the United States. On Main Street, above 
Coulter, is St. Luke's Church, the first Episcopal con- 
grc?:ation organized in Germantown, in 1811. The 
Friends' .Afeeting House and the Friends' Free 
Library, opposite, are famous landmarks of German- 
town; while the Masonic Hall, at No. 5425 Main 
Street, occupies the site of the building where Louisa 
M. Alcott, the distinguished authoress, was born. 

Nos. 5430 and 5434 Main Street are Ashmead 
houses. Captain Albert Ashmead, of No. 5430, com- 
manded a troop of country cavalry, and escorted Gen- 
eral Lafayette from Trenton to Philadelphia when he 
visited this countrv. William Ashmead was the first 



©etmantoUin* 



251 



to manufacture the well-knoAvii Germantown wagons 
after the Revolution, although to the Bringhursts, of 
'No. 5219, and the '" Bringhurst Big House " (now 
occupied as a store at the southeast comer of Main 
and Bringhurst Streets), belongs the fame of build- 
ing the '^ General Washington Chariot," in 1780. 

THE MORRIS HOUSE AND FAMOUS NEIGHBORS. 

Just above the Ashmead houses, at Xo. 5142 Main 
Street, opposite historic Market Square, is the Mor- 
ris house, or the " Germantown White House," the 
home of President Washington, and the seat of gov- 
ernment in 1793, during the yellow fever scourge in 
Philadelphia, and during a portion of the year 1794. 




WYCK," THE HAINES HOMESTEAD. 



252 Cbe automobile Coun0t* 

All the homesteads between the ^lorris house and the 
Saving Fund Building are historic. Xo. 5448 was 
built about 1760 by John Bringhurst, and later came 
into the possession of the Ashmead family. 'No. 5450 
was another Armat house of interesting traditions, 
and ]^os. 5452 and 5454 were Ashmead houses; the 
upper one, long designated as the Count Zinzendorf 
house, the beginning of the Moravian Seminary, 
has recently been torn down for the enlargement of 
the Saving Fund Building. Across the street from 
these houses, what is now the Woman's Christian 
Association building, vas occupied by one of the 
Philadelphia banks during the yellow fever epidemic. 
The Market Square Presbyterian Church occupies the 
site of the German Reformed Church, built in 1733, 
and the building of the Mutual Fire Insurance Com- 
pany occupies the site of the historic De la Plaine 
house. The first house above the present German- 
toAvn bank was once occupied by the officers of the 
State Government; and just above, at l^os. 5516, 
5518 and 5520, is the rambling old King of Prussia 
Tavern. Then the historic Lehman houses are passed 
on the same side of the street. 

Vernon Park, the home of the Germantown 
Branch of the Philadelphia Library, on the west side 
of Main Street, just above Chelten Avenue, with the 
historic Wister mansion in the center, was once the 
famous gardens of Melchior Meng. The old Kurtz 
gardens adjoined the Vernon property before it came 



into the possession of John Wister. Between Vernon 
Park and Town Hall there were several historic home- 
steads, only one of which is now standing, at No. 
5845. The old toll gate stood near by, while the 
ancient '' English Church " of Germantown stood on 
the site of the Young Men's Christian Association. 
The old Town Hall was used as a hospital during the 
Revolution, and the Engle house adjoining, at No. 
503 S Main Street, was closely associated with the 
Battle of Germantown. 

Opposite the Engle house is the old Rose property, 
now known as the Butler property; while just above 
this, at the southeast corner of Main and High 
Streets, is the Morris-Littell house, the home of Mrs. 
Ann Willing Morris, of Charles Willing Littell, and 
also of the talented but eccentric Dr. Christopher 
Witt. 

No. 6019 Main Street, the ancient " Green Tree 
Tavern " was kept as a public house by Daniel Pas- 
torius, a great-grandson of the famous Erancis Daniel 
Pastorius, while the old Pastorius house, which now 
stands in the rear of the High Street Methodist 
Church, was moved from its original position, ad- 
joining the Morris-Littell house, when High Street 
was opened. The old Warner houses, above Green 
Tree Tavern, Nos. 6021 and 6023 Main Street, were 
early identified with the pietist hermits of the Wis- 
sahickon. Picturesque old " Wyck," at the south- 
west corner of Walnut Lane and Main Street, is the 



254 Cbe automobile Couri^t 

Haines property. This is claimed to be the oldest 
house standing in Germantown. The Charlotte Cush- 
man house^ also known as the Dr. Shippen house, and 
the first Pennsylvania Manual Labor School, is across 
the street from " Wyck/' at tlie southeast corner of 
Main Street and Walnut Lane. While a little fur- 
ther up the Main Street, above Herman, is the ancient 
Mennonite Meeting House, with tlie Samuel Keyser 
house adjoining it on the north. 'No. 6205 is the old- 
est Keyser house, bidlt by Dirck Keyser in 1738. 

"UPPER BURYING GROUND" AND GERMANTOWN 
BATTLE GROUND. 

The Washington Tavern, on the same side of the 
street — No. 6239 — was known by this name as early 
as 1793. Across the street, at No. 6306, is the 
famous Johnson house, which stood in the thickest of 
the fight at the time of the Battle of Germantown. 
No. 6316, now also known as a Johnson house, was 
the Peter Keyser property; back of it still stands 
" the bullet-ridden cedar fence." The Upper Bury- 
ing Ground, or Ax's Burying Ground, and the old 
Concord School House, now the home of the Ger- 
mantown Site and Relic Society, as well as the Jacob 
Knorr house, built in 1760, are across the street from 
the Johnson houses. Again on the left we find the 
historic Unrod and Metzger houses, where Elizabeth 
Metzger made bullets of the pewter spoons of patri- 
otic neighbors; and the ''■ Slii]) House " at ^o. 6338. 



(Setmamoton* 



255 



The historic Rodney-Kevser house stands at I^o. 
6347, while '' Cliveden/' the Chew house, the scene 
of the most important incidents connected with the 
Battle of Germantown, occupies the square bounded 
by the Main Street, Johnson and Morton. Streets and 
Cliveden Avenue. The Billmver house, at the north- 




GREEN TREE TAVERN, OR PASTORIUS HOUSE. 



west corner of Main and LTpsal Streets, ^vas erected 
about 1727. On the horse block at this house it is 
said that Washington stood to direct the battle while 
the British occupied the Chew house; at that time 
there were no buildings between the Chew and the 
Billmver houses. 



256 Cfte amomolJile Couri0t* 

" Upsala/' erected by John Johnson, in 1798, on 
the west side of Main Street, opposite the Chew 
house, is said to be one of the finest examples of the 
so-called Colonial architecture in Germantown. The 
little old '^ Sparrow Jack " house, with its interesting 
traditions, stands at the northwest corner of Main 
and Upsal Streets, while the old house with the over- 
hanging eaves, opposite the Billmyer house, is still 
known as the " Bible House," because of its c'onnec- 
tion with the Billmyer and Saner printing. The 
Church of the Brethren, or Dunkards, stands at ^o. 
6613 Main Street, while the old houses at Xos. 6G11 
and 6669 Main Street were the parsonages of the 
Dunkards' Church, and tlie St. Michael's Lutheran 
Church, at Main and Phil-ellena Streets. 'No. 6749 is 
the Hesser house; No. 6843 is the Paul house; and 
occupying the site of the Lutheran Theological Semi- 
nary was Mount Airy, the country seat of Chief 
Justice William Allen. At the southeast corner of 
Main Street and Gowen Avenue is the Gowen house; 
while a little further u}> the roadway, at Main Street 
and Mermaid Lane, are found the ancient Mermaid 
Tavern, and the old log cabin built by Christopher 
Yeakle in 1743. 

Although historic landmarks with Revolutionary 
and Colonial associations and traditions continue at 
intervals among the handsome country seats and insti- 
tutions on either side of the Main Street from Mount 
Airy, through Chestnut Hill, to City Line, the really 




THE FAMOUS SHIP JIODSE. 




CONCORD SCIIOOLIIOUSE AND UPPER BURYING GROUND. 



17 



258 Cfte 3utomotiiIc Couri0n 

famous, historic portion is found between Wayne 
Junction and Mermaid Lane. On the few side streets 
of special historic interest, the early mills of German- 
town are found on the east of Main Street out Fish- 
er's Lane. The old Rock House may be visited by 
running east on Penn Street to the " Wingohocking 
meadow.'' The landmarks west of Main Street, on 
Manheim Street, have been noted, and the celebrated 
Germantown Academy, in which school has been held 
continuously, with the exception of a brief period dur- 
ing the Revolution, since January 1st, 1760, is one 
square from Main Street, out School House Lane. 

The return trip to Philadelphia, after visiting the 
landmarks of upper Germantown, may be made by 
way of the Lincoln Drive, from Johnson Street, 
along the Wissahickon and the East River Drive 
through Fairmount Park. The old waterworks pond 
is passed on Lincoln Drive, the Houston monument. 
Blue Bell Hill, the old Rittenhouse homestead and 
Paper Mill Run. 

Continuing on down the drive the f ainous " Springs 
Foimtain " is passed, the '' new Wissahickon bridge," 
Hermit's Lane, Gypsy Lane, Wissahickon Hall, the 
jutting rock of '' Dead Man's Curve," the charming 
view of the dam, and the flight of steps leading up 
the steep hillside to " the summit," the picturesque 
^Miigh bridge," and the High Bridge House, and the 
^' old Robeson's meadow," now occupied by the skat- 
ing pond and the Queen Lane Pumping Station, past 
the Laurel Hill Cemetery, and on down the beautiful 
East River Drive to the city. 



€on0ljDf)ocfecn anD it0 Irletialutionarp 
^cmane0* 



Distance feom Philadelphia. 

About sixteen miles by way of Barren Hill and Plymouth 
Meeting. Few miles longer by way of Montgomery Avenue, 
with short side trips. Forty miles will cover entire journey. 

Route. 

Out Girard Avenue, to west end of bridge; turn to right 
through West Fairmount Park to Belmont Avenue; out Bel- 
mont Avenue to City Line; and out City Line to Bala Station 
and Montgomery Pike. Out Montgomery Pike to Bryn ]\Iawr 
and over Conshohocken Hill to West Conshohocken. Keturn 
by way of Barren Hill, Germantown and East River Drive. 

EOADS. 
Splendid traveling, but close mileage restrictions. 

What to See. 

General Wayne Inn on Montgomery Pike. 
Ancient Merion Meeting House. 
Historic Price Homestead and Brookhurst Inn. 
Landmarks of old " Matson's Ford." 
Grist mills and homesteads of Conshohocken. 
Ancient hostelries in vicinity of Conshohocken. 
Landmarks of Reading Pike from Plymouth jNIeeting to 
Chestnut Hill. 

Old church and hostelry of colonial davs at Barren Hill. 



Con0ijoj)ocken anD it0 laetjolutionatp 
95emorie0* 



An Enjoyable Afternoon Spin Through a Region Rich in History 
of Revolutionary Days. 



For an invigorating afternoon spin, with points of 
special interest on every hand, and the surety of an 
oyster supper at some one of the famous old inns of 
Revolutionary renown, a trip from Philadelphia to 
Conshohocken will be one of special delight. The trip 
may be made by several routes, the shortest, offering 
continuous good roads, is by way of Montgomery 
Avenue. This may be reached from Germantown by 
way of City Line, from Ridge Avenue and the East 
River Drive. 

To reach Montgomery Avenue from the heart of 
the city, ride out Girard Avenue to west end of 
bridge, and turn to the right through West Fair- 
mount Park to Belmont Avenue. Turn north on 
Belmont Avenue to City line, and turn left to Mont- 
gomery Avenue. Turn right on Montgomery Ave- 
nue to General Wayne Hotel, which is about nine 
miles from Philadelphia. 

Many objects of interest center in the vicinity of 
the General Wayne. 'Not only the ancient inn, which 
recently celebrated its two hundredth anniversary, 
but the famous Merion Meeting House; the Mc- 
Dowell homestead, with its monument in the corner 

261 



262 CI)C automobile Couti0t* 

of the grounds near the avenue; the old Price man- 
sion, with its quaint, old-time upping block; the pic- 
turesque Brookhurst Inn, standing back in a historic 
grove, and entered by a lane leading back from Mont- 
gomery Avenue, are all worthy of special study. 

GENERAL WAYNE INN. 

The General Wayne Inn has had many names. It 
is now known as the '^ General Anthony Wayne," or 
the ^^ General Wayne Inn"; but soon after it was 
built, in 1704, it was known as the Wayside Inn, 
then as the " William Penn Hotel," and still later as 
the " General Wayne." It received its name of Wil- 
liam Penn after the illustrious founder of Philadel- 
phia stopped there to attend the quarterly meeting 
of the Friends of that section at the old Merion Meet- 
ing House. The original deeds of the ancient inn are 
still in the possession of the present proprietor, giv- 
ing good authority for the ancient date of its erection 
in 1704. 

It is claimed that Penn once owned the ground 
that the hotel and the meeting house now occupy, and 
that he not only built Lower Merion Meeting House, 
but frequently preached there. The old inn was the 
first stop of the old mail coach, which ran between 
Philadelphia and Lancaster. 

The General Wayne Inn is a two-story stone and 
plaster building, ])ainted yellow. The walls of the 
old part next to the road are about twenty-six inches 



264 Cbe automobile Couri^t 

thick. Washington is said to have stopped here for 
the night on liis march to Paoli, and it is claimed that 
both Washington and Lafayette frequently dined 
here. The name of General W^ayne is said to have 
been given to the inn in consequence of that officer 
having encamped here with his command, probably 
in 1792, on his Western expedition against the In- 
dians. This inn was kept in 1806 by Titus Yerkes, 
and is noted on Hill's map in 1800. It was kept by 
Major William Matheys in 1824, and by David 
Young in 1838, in whose family it remained until 
1883. The elections of the whole township were 
continuously held here from 1806 to 1867 — a period 
of sixty-one years. 

ANCIENT MERION MEETING. 

Curious legends and ancient traditions galore clus- 
ter about the old meeting house, which was erected 
long before the historic inn, on adjoining land. In 
connection with it romantic stories are told of Prince 
Medoc, son of Owain Gwynedd, and his voyage in the 
twelfth century, finding an American land of vines, 
and his second voyage from which the voyager never 
returned. The Welsh cherished this tradition, and 
William Penn, in later days, aided John ap Thomas 
to realize the vision. The Welsh colony came to 
Merion two months before Penn's arrival in 1682. 
The ancient meeting house stands on old Lancaster 
Road, now known as llontgomerv Avenue, a little 



Con0l)oJ)ocken* 265 

over a mile from City Line. According to the re- 
searches of the late Dr. George Smith, the early 
Welsh, who settled throughout this section, were 
nearly all Friends, and after holding worship in the 
house of Hugh Roberts as early as Fourth month, 
1684, they built a temporary frame structure of 
wood on the site of the old log house in 1695, which 
stood until 1715, when the present substantial stone 
edifice was built on the same site. Its ground plan 
is in the form of a Gothic T, with a length of 36 
feet, and the end facing southwest is 20x24 feet. It 
is one story, or about 14 feet to the roof, with walls 
over two feet in thickness, and, viewed from the in- 
side, remarkable for the height of its windows from 
the floor. 

Continuing on the avenue Ardmore is reached, 
about two miles beyond the General Wayne; Haver- 
ford is passed one and a half miles further on, and 
another mile will bring the tourist to Bryn Mawr, 
which is about thirteen and a half miles from Phila- 
delphia. 

RICH REVOLUTIONARY MEMORIES. 

Leaving Montgomery xVvenue at Bryn Mawr, and 
turning to the right at the railroad station, follow 
this road (a good macadam road) for a little over a 
mile over Conshohocken Hill to West Conshohocken. 
The tourist will have passed over a section of the 
country literally crowded wdth Eevolutionary memo- 



266 



Cbe automobile Coun0n 




MERION MEETING-HOUSE. 



Ties. The American armies crossed and recrossed the 
Schuylkill River at Conshohocken many times. 

On the run out Hector and Fayette Streets inter- 
esting sites will be passed. At the corner of these 
streets there once stood a log cabin in which lived a 
colored man, who was a team driver for the American 
armies during the Revolution. The street was named 
after him, and thus this humble servitor in the cause 
of freedom has a lasting memorial. In running down 
Fayette Street many handsome residences are passed, 
and on the left, in the outskirts, the town water reser- 
voir is noticed. 

Conshohocken is a mile square, and, in conse- 
quence, the streets are laid quite regular, crossing 



Con0j)o|)ocken* 267 

each other at right angles. Fayette is the main busi- 
ness street, extending from the Schuylkill bridge 
northeasterly, dividing the borough into two equal 
parts, from which the ground descends in opposite 
directions. It is broad, turnpiked and shady. Wash- 
ington is the chief manufacturing street, along which 
the railroad to Norristown passes. 

David Harry, in 1830, built a grist mill, which was 
the first improvement here. For a number of years 
this mill had a large run of custom, always having 
sufficient supply of water from the canal. Trains of 
farmers' w^agons could be seen around it'in time of 
drought waiting for their grists. At this time there 
were two farm houses here, one occupied by Mr. 
Harry and the other by Cadwallader Foulke. About 
a year or so afterwards Messrs. Wells and Freedly 
built a mill for sawing marble, which was obtained 
from the neighboring quarries. They did a flourish- 
ing business for a number of years. They were fol- 
lowed by James Wood, who built and put in operation 
a rolling mill, the first in the place. The building of 
a furnace and a foundry by Stephen Colwell helped 
on the early progress of the place. 

OLD MATSON'S FORD. 

Conshohocken is the name by which the Indians 
called Edge Hill. There is evidence of this in the 
deeds of purchase from the Indians by William Penn. 
This range still retains the name on the west side of 



268 Ci)e automobile Coun0t 

the Schuylkill. Some time previous to the Revolu- 
tion, Peter Matson was a land owner on the opposite 
side of the river, and on laying out the roads here the 
crossing place in consequence became known as Mat- 
son's Ford. The name was not changed until about 
]832, when it became known as Conshohocken. 

On the 17th of May, 1778, while Lafayette was sta- 
tioned with a detachment of over two housand men at 
Barren Hill, three and a half miles from Matson's 
Ford, the British attempted to surprise him with a 
greatly superior force, arranged in three divisions. 
When the first division approached within a mile of 
his rear, Lafayette received the first intelligence of 
their presence through an officer who had been sent 
to reconnoitre. Thinking his situation critical, he 
withdrew in haste to Matson's Ford, and as the last 
division of his command was crossing with the artil- 
lery the enemy's advanced parties made their appear- 
ance on the bank and fired a volley after them, when 
a skirmish ensued, with slight loss for either army. 
Lafayette proceeded to the high ground opposite the 
ford and formed in order of battle, when the other 
divisions of the British made their appearance. These 
not deeming it prudent to cross the ford, though 
they had more than four times the number of men, 
wheeled round and marched, disappointed, to the city. 
In consequence of this affair, the old road which led 
to the ford, on which this retreat was effected, was 
called Fayette Street. 



Consbobockeiu 269 

It will require a run of about fifteen or sixteen 
miles to reach Conshohocken and visit the old mills 
and other scenes of its early industries. For a late 
start on a short afternoon run it will be desirable to 
visit one of the famous old inns of the vicinity on the 
home trip^ — at Barren Hill, for instance. This will 
necessitate a change of route for return — always a 
desirable feature. Take the Plymouth Meeting Road 
from Conshohocken, a short run over smooth, hard 
roadway, to the little meeting house on the pike, then 
turn to the rio;ht and there is another 2:ood run down 
the pike direct to Chestnut Hill. Barren Hill is 
passed just before reaching Chestnut Hill, and one 
of its most historic inns is situated on the line of 
travel directly on the Reading Pike. 

A COLONIAL HOSTELRY. 

This old Barren Hill hotel is a hostelry of Colonial 
days, kept by Conrad Beau in 1779. The little set- 
tlement of Barren Hill is crowded with famous land- 
marks. The ancient " Barren Hill Church," as St. 
Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church is familiarly 
known, stands just beyond the old hostelry. As it was 
used as a stable for horses during the Revolution, the 
old church is pointed out as one of the most interest- 
ing landmarks of the section. It was founded by 
H. M. Muhlenberg in 1761. In the old graveyard ad- 
joining, Lafayette posted a detachment of his troops 
to cover the retreat of the main body. Beyond the 



270 Cfte automotiile Couri^t* 

church is to be seen the monument marking the spot 
where Lafayette camped during the Revolution. He 
had been sent by Washington Avith a force of 2,500 
men to post himself on the heights of Barren Hill in 
order to observe the movements of Howe, who it was 
suspected was about to vacate Philadelphia. Howe 
tried to take Lafayette's position. He sent out a large 
force to surround and capture the little body of gal- 
lant patriots, but they were unsuccessful. The Brit- 
ish line of attack was formed in the vicinity of 
Plymouth Meeting. 

In going direct to Conshohocken by way of Mont- 
gomery Pike, and on reaching Conshohocken taking 
the Plymouth Road and the Reading Pike for return 
(by way of Barren Hill and Chestnut Hill), from 
two and a half to three hours should be allowed for 
the run, as the greater part of the distance on both 
routes is within the line of restricted auto traveling, 
where the speed limit allowed by law is only from 
eight to ten miles per hour. When it is possible to 
make an early start, and allow from four to five hours 
for the run, it will be well worth the extra time to 
visit the points of interest and enjoy the view just 
beyond Conshohocken, on the road to ^orristown. 
All this ground is historic. 

An ancient hostelry, said to be the oldest in the 
vicinity of Philadelphia, is passed on the outskirts of 
Conshohocken, It is known as the Seven Stars. Ro- 
mantic stories are here told of the time when General 



Con0f)D!)ocken* 271 

Wayne stopped at the old hostelry for several days, as 
did also Washington and Lafayette, when the armies 
were in the neighborhood. The old hotel was licensed 
in 1754, 

A little fnrther on the road to I^orristown — near 
the Trenton Cnt-off, Pennsylvania Eailroad — is still 
another famons old inn, the Black Horse, where 
Washington and Lafayette are said to have lodged 
while the Kevolutionary soldiers were camped in the 
vicinity. 

Whether the trip ends at Conshohocken or is con- 
tinued the few miles beyond for the purpose of visit- 
ing the extra points of interest, the return may be 
made by way of the Reading Pike from Plymouth 
Meeting to Chestnut Hill. By following the line of 
the trolley through Chestnut Hill — from the Reading 
Pike and City Line — tliere will l)e a continuous road- 
way of belgian blocks from City Line to Harvey 
Street, Germantown, passing many historic home- 
steads and landmarks of Germantown Avenue on the 
run. Turn to the right on Llarvey Street for a smooth 
roadway leading down into Lincoln Drive and the 
Wissahickon Drive. The short stretch from Lincoln 
Drive to Ridge Avenue is the only portion of tlie 
Wissahickon Drive on which automobiles are allowed. 
The popular River Drive is entered at Ridge Avenue 
with a smooth run through Fairmount Park to the 
citv. 




HIGH BRIDGE ()\ LK TllK W IS.SAll R KOX. 



Co tfte Citp^bp^tfte-SecL 

I)IST.\XCE FKOM CaMDPIX FkURIES. 
About sixty miles. ()i\(t liundiffl arifl thirty miles will in- 
clude return and side triI^s. 

PiOUTE. 
From Market Street Ferry, Philadelphia, to Federal Street, 
Oi/tiden. Out Federal Street to Third, and out to Mt. Fphraim 
Pike \>y way of Pen son Street, Trenton Avenue and Line 
Street. C)ut Mt. Kphraim Pike to West Collingswood and 
White Horse Pike. Or from South Street Ferry, Philadelphia, 
to (;lloueester, out Ferry Street and on to White Horse Pike by 
way of Browninf^'s Lane. Then to Kirkwood, Berlin, Ateo, 
Waterford, Tlrinuuonton. Fllwood, Y.<rfi Harbor, Abs<;con and 
Pleasantvillf. 

Firi(! hard rotnl-bed, with the exception of Camden approach 
to the I'ike, find the tliorou<fhfarc over " the meadows." 

What to Ski:. 

Modern industries of thriving towns and villages along White 
Horse Pike. 

Extensive pigeon raising at Hammonton. 

Landmarks of old Tuckerton. 

Mill ruins and Custom House of ancient port of entry. 

Old Friends' Meeting House at Tuckerton. 

Ruins of early milling industries of Little Egg Harbor. 

Picturesque coast streams and inlets of revolutionary fame. 

I^and marks of Somers Point. 

Old lighthouse of Atlantic City. 

Historic points at " The Inlet." 

Magnificent hotels and institutions, indicating the growth of 
the City-by-the-Sea in fifty years. 

Seaside homes anrl institutions of widespread charity. 
18 



^VT -^ 



*2 --^ 








Clje Citp^&P'tlje-g^ea* 



A Popular Spin over the White Horse Pike, with Continuous 
Good Roads to " The Meadows." 



There are few automobile runs in the vicinity of 
Philadelphia more popular than the trip to Atlantic 
City. The earliest ambition of the Philadelphia 
motorist, after he secures his car, is to test its speed 
on the White Horse Pike; and veteran road drivers 
who can swap auto stories from the days of the past 
century, delight in comparing the time limits of the 
road cars of five or six years ago with the wonderful 
speed improvements of the up-to-date cars, as gauged 
by the hours and minutes in which they can ^^ make 
Atlantic City.'' 

On the first trip or two to the City-by-the-Sea the 
motorist will think more of " making time " than of 
any other touring delights. Later he will begin to 
realize — after he has convinced competing friends of 
the superiority of his car over any record of their 
machines — that interesting villages and towns have 
been passed en route; that there are many attractive 
side trips leading over good hard roadways a little off 
from the direct pike to Atlantic ; in fact, that there is 
^^ something to see " that will make a leisurely jour- 
ney worth while, at least for a return trip. 

There are two ways of reaching the White Horse 
Pike from the ferries. The route from Federal 

275 



276 Cfte automotJile Couti^t 

Street Ferry, Camden, adds a mile or two to the dis- 
tance, but is rather better traveling than by way of 
Browning's Lane from Gloucester Ferry. Take Mar- 
ket Street Ferry, Philadelphia, to Federal Street, 
Camden. Kide out Federal Street to Third, and con- 
tinue to Mt. Ephraim Pike, by way of Benson Street, 
Trenton Avenue and Line Street. Follow Mt. 
Ephraim Pike to West Collingswood, and turn left, 
on Collingswood Road to White Horse Pike; or con- 
tinue straight out Federal Street and reach White 
Horse Pike by way of Haddon Avenue and City Line. 
Follow White Horse Pike direct to Haddon Heights, 
Kirkwood, White Horse Hotel, eleven miles; Lucas- 
ton and Berlin, sixteen miles. 

Berlin will be reached in about fourteen miles from 
the Camden Ferry by taking South Street Ferry to 
Gloucester, riding straight out Ferry Street, and 
reaching White Horse Pike by way of Browning's 
Lane, six miles from ferry. Turn right on pike to 
Kirkwood, nine miles; and Berlin, fourteen miles. Be- 
yond Berlin continue by way of Atco and Waterford 
to Hammonton, twenty-eight miles; Ellwood, thirty- 
four miles; Egg Harbor, forty miles, and Absecon, 
fifty-one miles. In Absecon turn right to Pleasant- 
villc, fifty-four miles; and turn left across the 
meadows, five miles; to Atlantic City, fifty-nine miles. 

From Camden to Hammonton the majority of the 
towns and villages passed are thrifty settlements of 
modern interests, surrounded l)v farm hinds, with 



Atlantic Citi>* 



i i 



long reaches of woodland skirting the pike between 
the tow^ns. After leaving Hammonton — the largest 
and most important town between Philadelphia and 
Atlantic City — and approaching the towns nearer the 
coast, there is a goodly number of historic landmarks 
among the modern. In the vicinity of Egg Harbor 
these are of special interest, and the whole of Egg- 
Harbor Township is well worth a few side trips from 
the direct road to Atlantic City, when sight-seeing is 
to be included in the outing. Long before Atlantic 
City had reached any degree of prominence, Little 
Egg Harbor and Tuckerton were important points, 
and ancient mill ruins, custom houses and homesteads 
are still treasured landmarks. There is probably no 
side trip on the whole run to the City-by-the-Sea so 
full of interest as a run to Tuckerton, situated '' at the 
head of an arm of the ocean," north of Little Egg 
Harbor Inlet, about six miles from the sea, on both 
sides of a stream called Tuckerton Mill Creek. The 
district of Little Egg Harbor and port of Tuckerton 
comprises all the shores, Avaters, bays, rivers, inlets 
and creeks, from Barnegat Inlet to Brigantine Inlet, 
including thirty miles on the seacoast, and extends 
to Basto, at the head of Mullica River, and within its 
boundaries have been important furnaces, forges and 
mills from early days. The town of Tuckerton was 
first settled by the whites in the year 1699, and about 
the year 1704 a grist mill and saw mill had been 
erected, and a number of settlers moved into the 



278 Cfte automobile Couri^t 

place, their chief occupation being fishing, fowling, 
shipbuilding, milling and manufacturing lumber, such 
as pine and cedar boards, rails and shingles, which 
were shipped coastwise to the cities, and direct to the 
West Indies. 

TUCKERTON— THE OLD PORT OF ENTRY. 

About 1765, Eeuben Tucker came from the State 
of New York and purchased the whole island, after- 
wards known as Tucker's Beach, and in 1778 his son, 
Ebn. Tucker, located in the settlement, then quaintly 
called ^' Middle of the Shore," near Andrew's mill, 
owned by the Shourds family, and at the close of the 
Revolutionary War purchased the farm of John and 
Joseph Gaunt, on which the main part of Tuckerton 
was afterwards built. He laid out the tract into 
building lots, built houses and entered largely into 
the mercantile and shipping business, importing his 
groceries direct from the West Indies in exchange 
for lumber. In 1786 the people of the village and 
vicinity met and resolved that the place should be 
called I'uckerton. In the early part of Washington's 
administration it was established a port of entry for 
the district of Little Egg Harbor. About the middle 
of the past century it Avas mentioned as one of the 
most important towns of the vicinity, being fifty miles 
from Philadelphia, two hundred miles from Washing- 
ton and sixty miles from Trenton. The old Friends' 
Meeting House of Tuckerton has a quaint history. 



280 Ct)c automotiile Caun0t 

It is said that jovial Jacob Andrews, one of the 
earliest settlers, was a man of considerable property, 
who soon owned lands on both sides of Tuckerton 
Mill Creek. In those days he was known as " a jolly 
good fellow," playing on his violin for the entertain- 
ment of his neighbors, and treating them with rnm 
and cider at their dances, when he suddenly laid aside 
his violin, joined the Quakers, or Friends, in senti- 
ment, and induced his neighbors for several miles 
around to come to meetings at his house. After he 
had thus established a congregation, he gave two 
acres of land, and with the assistance of his friends 
built a meeting house for the Society. 

UNIQUE INDUSTRIES OF EGG HARBOR. 

Egg Harbor was early noted for its exportation of 
.sassafras. Some vessels went direct to Holland with 
it " north al)out," to avoid some British orders of 
trade therein. Tlie Dutch made it into a beverage, 
Avhich they sold under the name of " sloop." This 
commerce existed before the Revolution. This was a 
great place of resort for American privateers during 
the Revolutionary AVar. A vast amount of property 
was brought into this port, captured from the British. 
Among the ricli ]^rizes were the ships Venus and 
Major Pearson from London. About the year 1800 
a new inlet broke through Tucker's beach, and at the 
same time closed up Brigantine Inlet. This new inlet 
soon became the best on the seacoast of ^ew Jersey, 



Atlantic Citp* 281 

into which a vast number of vessels entered for shel- 
ter against storms. In 1829 and 1830 Congress 
appropriated $15,000 to improve Little Egg Harbor. 
Xot only was the exportation of sassafras a unique 
industry in the early history of this section of lN"ew 
Jersey, but other novel enterprises followed. In 
1815, John Hallock, from IN'ew York, introduced the 
culture of the castor bean, and the manufacture of 
castor oil, which for several years yielded large pro- 
fits; and one year later Daniel Thatcher, from Mas- 
sachusetts, settled on the ISTew Jersey coast, near Egg 
Harbor, and introduced the manufacture of salt by 
the evaporation of salt water. Many old landmarks 
of the early milling and manufacturing industries are 
still preserved, and the tourist who is fortunate in 
meeting a chatty " old resident," may spend a delight- 
ful hour in a side trip from Egg Harbor to quaint old 
Tuckerton and the coast inlets. 

Or, a side trip in the opposite direction, to the 
south of the Atlantic City Road to Somers Point, 
on the Great Egg Harbor Bay, a famous summer 
resort of the past, may prove equally interesting in 
regard to famous mill ruins and picturesque land- 
marks on the coast streams. Here are many remind- 
ers of the days when Somers Point was named in 
honor of the gallant Captain Richard Somers, claimed 
to be '" one of the most intrepid officers that ever did 
honor to the United States Xavv.'' 



282 Cfte giutomo&ile Couri^n 

^N'oted cranberry bogs may be visited in the vicin- 
ity of Absecon, and other modern industries, prove 
interesting along the line of the small towns and vil- 
lages, many of them vying with Ilammonton in the 
fame of pigeon-raising on an extensive scale, and 
prize poultry farms. 

A wide stretch of salt meadows will be passed just 
below Absecon, with the City-by-the-Sea in view in 
the distance. A short turn to the south brings the 
tourist to Pleasantville, and the meadow thorough- 
fare leads directly across '' the meadows " to the 
southern part of Atlantic City. 

GROWTH OF THE CITY-BY-THE-SEA. 

The average tourist is inclined to look upon At- 
lantic City simply as a modern resort, lacking in his- 
toric interest, dating back for more than half a cen- 
tury. While the city's fiftieth anniversary was cele- 
brated only last year, in reality the interesting his- 
tory of the City-by-the-Sea begins with the Indians, 
and is closely concerned with Revolutionary events. 
But all such records are relegated to insignificance 
beside the story of its rise as a resort, first, for the 
nearby city of Philadelphia, and then for a whole na- 
tion. From a summer resort with a resident popula- 
tion of one hundred, it has grown in fifty years to an 
all-the-year-round resort, with a population averaging 
40,000 in Avinter and 300,000 in summer. 





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284 Cfte automoliile Courist 

MODERN ASPECT OF ATLANTIC CITY. 

Viewing the place from its modern aspect we find 
that Atlantic City stands alone. It is claimed that 
no one has adequately described it, or ever will; for 
while it is un equaled in the world as a spectacle, it 
has no "spectators — all who go there, if but for a day, 
become a part of it. In size and in intensity of its 
devotion to the one animating purpose, it is matched 
nowhere. The few who toil within its limits are but 
caterers to the many thousands who seek health or 
pursue pleasure. It is a manifestation not to be had 
elsewhere of the American at play ; for while differing 
from ^N^ewport on the one extreme, and Coney Island 
on the other, it yet has attributes of both, welcoming 
and assimilating all comers and all classes. It is in 
all things a law unto itself, not seeking and not fol- 
lowing precedents. 

Prom the time of the opening of the first railroad 
to Atlantic City, July 1st, 1854, its progress has been 
continuous. A second railroad was opened in 1877; 
this was narroAV gauge, and was changed to broad 
gauge by the Eeading Railroad Company in 1884, 
and in 1889 it was made a double track line. A third 
railroad w^as opened in 1880, and the first train on 
the Pennsylvania system, by way of the Delaware 
River Bridge, was run April 19th, 1896. The board- 
walk, begun in 1896, is now four miles and a half 
lone:. The total area of Atlantic City is 3,066 acres. 



Atlantic Citp* 2S5 

the built-up portion of which spreads over about 850 
acres. 

The annual expenditures for the city government 
amount to over $1,000,000. In 1880 the population 
was 5,477, and the assessed valuation of property, 
$1,907,760; for 1890 these figures were 13,037 and 
$4,415,896, respectively; in 1900 they were 27,838 
and $18,299,400 — a wonderful increase for each 
decade ! Despite the gloomy predictions of the past 
ten years or longer, that the glory of this marvelous 
city of pleasure was on the wane, and that ^' next year 
it will begin to go to smash," the population, number 
of visitors and property values have so far constantly 
grown. It is now a completely organized city, with 
all its machinery, including hospitals, churches, libra- 
ries, schools, banks, clubs, and many other means of 
service devoted to the convenience and entertainment 
of its visitors; while its charitable institutions, the 
seaside homes, where the sick and ailing children of 
the slum districts of Philadelphia may regain their 
health and strength without cost, annually extend a 
helping hand to thousands of the city's poor. 

Viewing the place from its historic interests, dating 
back less than a century, it was in 1818 that the origi- 
nal pioneer of Atlantic City, old Jeremiah Leeds, first 
settled on the spot. From then until 1852, when the 
railroad project was first mooted, the site was a suc- 
cession of barren sand hills and unproductive swamp. 
Doctor Jonathan Pitney, a physician of Absecon, 



286 Cbe automobile Couri0t* 

was the first to realize the immense advantages such 
a spot offered for bathing purposes, and these he ad- 
vocated for twenty years prior to the building of the 
railroad. Of course he was laughed at by the wise- 
acres, who said the building of a railroad across 'New 
Jersey from Camden to Absecon Beach, would not 
draw the people away from their favorite resort, Cape 
May, then reached by a tedious steamboat journey 
down the Delaware. Then, again, these prophesied 
that were a city to be built upon Absecon Beach, the 
winter tides of the raging ocean would sweep it away. 
But Dr. Pitney persevered, and the books of the sale 
of stock of the new road were opened at the Arch 
Street House, Philadelphia, on June 24th, 1852. 
Ten thousand shares were immediately taken up, and 
the books were closed before sunset. 

The occasion of the official opening of the road, on 
Saturday, July 1st, 1854, with a free excursion of 
six hundred people, and a free dinner to Philadelphia 
local celebrities and the members of the press, served 
to put the scribes of 1854 on record as to what they 
thought of Atlantic City when it consisted of two 
hotels, a few cottages and bath houses, the new light 
house erected the previous year, and miles of maiden 
beach, without the Boardwalk of the Vanity Fair of 
to-day. 

A correspondent of that time wrote that the train 
left Cooper's Point at 9.80 a.m. and reached Haddon- 
field, six miles distant, in eiahteen minutes, " havina* 



Atlantic Citp* 287 

made the astonishing speed of a mile in three min- 
utes." At the little to\Ani of Absecon, seven miles 
from Atlantic Citv, " a smaller and less weighty 
engine was attached to the train, preparatory to cross- 
ing the marshes, where the roadbed is flimsy and un- 
certain." 

Two years later an enthusiastic correspondent 
wrote of the place : '^ The hotels here are numerous, 
and are springing up like mushrooms. Among the 
best after the United States Hotel are Congress Hall, 
Atlantic, Ashland, Mansion House, etc. I am in- 
formed there are accommodations on the island for 
about 2,500 Adsitors, there being thirty-two hotels and 
boarding houses." The auto tourist who compares 
these accommodations for 2,500 visitors less than 
fifty years ago wdth the magnificent hotels, accommo- 
dating over 300,000 summer visitors of to-day, can 
gain a fair idea of the advancement made at this 
unique City-by-the-Sea, since the days when the fast- 
est train to Atlantic City made a mile in three min- 
utes, and the record-breaking automobile was a thing 
undreamed of. 




RUSTIC BRIDGE OX LINCOLN DRIVE. 



Cljtougi) tfte goutlj 3[er0ep pine0* 



DiSTAXCE FROM PHILADELPHIA. 

About fifty miles to Bay Side by way of Vineland, Miliville, 
Bridgeton and Greenwich. Side trips and return to Philadel- 
phia by way of Deerfield and Mantua will require about one 
hundred and ten miles. 

EOUTE. 

Take South Street Ferry to Gloucester, and run out Ferry 
Street to toll-gate, with good macadam to Woodbury. Thence 
by way of Mantua, Barnesboro, Pitman Grove, Malaga, Vine- 
land, Bridgeton and Greenwich to Bay Side. Keturn through 
Buena Vista, Greenwich, Bridgeton, Deerfield, Daretown, Pole 
Tavern, Mullica Hill, ^Mantua and Woodbury. 

Roads. 

A poor stretch between Miliville and Vineland, that may be 
avoided by taking direct route from Vineland to Bridgeton. 
Industries at Miliville worth the sandy run. Both routes 
mainly good State roads. 

What to See. 

Revolutionary homesteads, sites and relics of Woodbury. 

Interesting camp meeting grounds at Pitman Grove and 
Malaga. 

Fine farms and thrifty orchards on the road to Vineland, 

Famous training school for feeble-minded children at Vine- 
land. 

The extensive glass-blowing industries at Miliville. 

Berry farms and vineyards of Russian Jews on the road to 
Bridgeton. 

Historic Greenwich of tea-burning fame. 

Shad and sturgeon industries of Bay Side. 

Oj^stering and ship-building at Buena Vista. 

Gypsy camping grounds on Deerfield Pike. 

Ancient church and homesteads of Deerfield. 

Revolutionary and colonial memorials at Mullica Hill, and 
along the Raccoon Creek. 

19 



Cftroufff) tftr ©outJ) Jet0ep pine0* 



Through Famous Camp Meeting Grounds, Pines, Colonies of 
Russian Jews, and Historic Towns and Villages. 



A tour through South Jersey should never be 
planned on time schedule. With objects of more 
than usual interest on every hand, and colonies of 
Russian Jews and other settlements of foreign aspect 
in the neighborhood of Vineland and Bridgeton, the 
caviare industries along the Delaware in the early 
spring and the ovstering of the autumn and early win- 
ter, there is enough to keep the tourist interested for 
an entire day without traveling more than fifty miles 
from Philadelphia. If the return trip is to be made 
by a different route (with other settlements and indus- 
tries of equal interest to be visited) it will be well to 
allow more than a day for the trip, putting up at one 
of the historic hotels of Bridgeton for the night and 
returning the following morning. 

The route to Bridgeton and Greenwich that offers 
the most varied interest is by way of Vineland. 

By w^ay of Broad and Market Streets ride to Dela- 
ware Avenue, and out Delaware Avenue to South 
Street Ferry, and take the boat to Gloucester. Bun 
straight out Ferry Street to toll gate. Turn right on 
pike (good macadam road) direct to Woodbury, five 
miles; Mantua, eight miles; Barnesboro, ten miles; 
Pitman Grove, twelve miles ; Glassboro, fifteen miles ; 

291 



292 Cfte automobile Coutist 

Clayton, eighteen miles; Franklinville, twenty-one 
miles; Malaga, twenty-five miles; and Vineland, 
thirty-two miles. From here the direct run to 
Bridget on, Greenwich, and Bay Side may be included 
within eighteen or twenty miles, keeping the tour 
near the fifty-mile limit ; hut it will be much more in- 
teresting to add several extra miles to this, in order to 
include the desirable side trips. There is another 
attractive route on the way to Yineland, passing 
through AVestville, Fairview and Hurffville to Glass- 
boro. This road is somewhat hilly, but good ma- 
cadam the greater part of the way. The return trip 
may be made by an entirely different route from 
Bridgeton, by way of Deerfield Pike, DaretoAvn, Pole 
Tavern, MuUica Hill, Mantua and Woodbury. 

WOODBURY LANDMARKS. 

As Woodbury will be passed on both runs, many 
points of interest in the old town may be visited. The 
place was first settled in 16 84, by Richard Wood, a 
native of Perry, in Lancashire, England. He had 
come over with the first settlers of Philadelphia. 
Leaving his family in Philadelphia he ascended the 
creek in a canoe, and with the aid of the Indians 
erected a rude dwelling. The whole process of build- 
ing and removing his family was accomplished in one 
week. A brother soon afterward arrived, and settling 
higher up the stream named the locality Woodbury. 



^outj) 3iet$ep* 



293 



Lord Cornwallis was stationed in Woodbury in the 
winter of 1777, with a body of British troops. His 
headquarters Avere in the old homestead long known 
as the Amos Campbell house. It had been vacated 
on the approach of the enemy. The soldiers pried 
open the doors and cupboards with their bayonets, 
marks of wliich remain to the present day. 




OLD TOWN I (ALL AT GREENWICH. 



With few exceptions the Jersey roads are ideal for 
automobile touring. There seems to be a general im- 
pression that they are invariably sandy; but the Jer- 
sey laws demand good " State roads/' and these are so 
far reaching that one may travel from the level farm 
lands of Lower Jersey to the mountainous districts of 



294 Cfte automobile Coun0t 

Upper Jersey, while encountering very few road diffi- 
culties. 

We found this to be equally true over five years 
ago, when this trip in South Jersey was the first tour 
made by the writer in one of the earliest of steam 
automobiles in the latter part of 1899. We spent 
several hours at the camp meeting grounds of Pitman 
Grove and Malaga ; then passed on to Yineland, stop- 
ping at various points of interest on the way. A 
visit to the famous " Training School for Feeble 
Minded Children," situated in the heart of Vineland, 
kept us so interested in the open-air life and the ex- 
tensive industries that assist in the task of building 
up the feeble brain fabrics of these backward chil- 
dren, that high noon and sharpened appetites called 
for dinner before leaving the town. It was also neces- 
sary at this point to fill the tank with gasoline. Al- 
though the amount still on hand even after the extra 
miles made by numerous side trips would have taken 
us several miles further, it seemed wise to '^ fill up " 
in town, fearing that wayside stores might not keep 
the necessary fuel. 

Experience has since taught us that gasoline is 
readily secured at all little country towns and village 
stores, both in Pennsylvania and ^ew Jersey, more 
readily, in fact, than in larger towns, as the country 
people out of the reach of gas use it for summer fuel, 
and there are fewer restrictions concerning its sale 
in countrv districts. This advantage, with the acces- 



%omi) 3l^t0ep* 295 

sibilitv of roadside troughs and farmhouse pumps for 
the water supply makes it possible for either steam 
or gasoline automobiles to tour in remote nooks and 
corners of country attractions without anxiety con- 
cerning the keeping up of power. 

INTERESTING SOUTH JERSEY TOWNS. 

Instead of taking the direct road from Vineland 
to Bridgeton, in this first tour for pleasure in the long- 
ago, we took the longer and rougher road through 
Millville, but were amply repaid by a visit to the 
famous glass-blowing industries of the place. Then 
another side trip was taken on the way to Bridgeton 
to study the quaint customs of the Russian Jews, who 
eke out a livelihood from their berry patches and 
vineyards among the sandy scrub-pine lands of this 
section of Xew Jersey. Then came the fertile farm 
lands and tlie prosperous homes on the outskirts of 
Bridgeton, reached on the approach of evening. It 
was decided that the side trips — of such varied inter- 
ests that they consumed several hours of time — were 
the best parts of the journey, well worth the neces- 
sity for staying over night. One who makes this trip 
a single day's journey from Philadelphia to Bridgeton 
and return will miss more than half the pleasure of 
the trip. 

The following day it will be possible to reach Phila- 
delphia long before noon, if one so desires, even w^hen 
taking a leisurely journey with several '' stop oifs " by 



^outf) 3ier0ep* 297 

the shorter route, by way of Deerfield Pike, past 
Deerfield, Daretown, Pole Tavern, Mullica Hill, 
Mantua and Woodbury. But one will be repaid by 
making- it a full day's journey, by first running do^vn 
to Greenwich, witli its historic tea-burning interests ; 
to Buena Vista, with its shipbuilding interests and 
canning industries, and its famous fish and oyster 
wharves; or to Bay Side at the time of shad or stur- 
geon fishing, as this is one of the most famous places 
for the production of ^^ Russian caviare,'' from the 
roe of the sturgeon found in the Delaware Bay or 
River. There are several good roads for returning to 
Bridgeton from Greenwich. Then, between Bridge- 
ton and Deerfield, another attraction in the form of 
a famous gypsy encampment may be visited, and the 
gypsies will surely be found somewhere in the vicin- 
ity at almost any time between early spring and late 
autunm. All along the old Deerfield Pike there are 
places of historic interest, and numerous spectators 
among the inhabitants all along the country roadways 
eager to give information, and in turn ask innumera- 
ble questions concerning the make, the motive power, 
the price and the capabilities of the novel vehicle. 

Greenwich proved the most interesting of the side 
trips from Bridgeton, because of its historic land- 
marks. The ancient house is still standing in which 
the tea is said to have been stored the night before the 
famous conflagration of 1774; and the residents of 
the place are all familiar with the story of the tea 



298 Cf)e automoliile Coun0t 

burning. Shortly after the destruction of the tea in 
Boston the East India Tea Company determined to 
try whether they might not meet with better success 
in sending a cargo into the Cohansey. Accordingly 
the brig Greyhound, with a cargo of tea bound to 
Philadelphia, came up the river and discharged at 
Green w^ich, depositing the tea in the cellar of a house 
standing in front of the market ground. In the even- 
ing of Thursday, November 2 2d, 1774, it was taken 
possession of by about forty men, disguised as In- 
dians, who deliberately conveyed the chests from the 
cellar, piled them in an adjoining field, and burnt 
them in one big conflagration. 

GREENWICH OF TEA-BURNING FAME, 

Xaturally the bold act of these men produced much 
excitement among those who were secretly disposed 
to favor the British interest. They were loud in their 
denunciations against these patriots for what they 
called '' such wanton waste of property," and claimed 
that they deserved to be severely handled for it. An 
attempt was accordingly made by the owners of the 
tea to resort to law to obtain remuneration, but the 
patriotism which prompted the act was too widely 
recognized to make such an attempt successful, and 
none of the patriots w^ere punished by British sym- 
pathizers. 

In the Revolutionary contests the inhabitants of 
the vicinity were frequently alarmed and sometimes 



©out!) S\tt$t^. 



29D 



plundered by the refugees, and when the British fleet 
ascended the Delaware to attack Philadelphia, armed 
men landed and destroyed the cattle upon the marshes 
between the Cohansey and Stow Creeks. 

Another famous landmark to be passed on the 
home run is the historic church at Deerfield, which 
boasts the proud distinction of being instituted the 




THE COIIAXSEY WHARF, WHERE TlIK TKA WAS LANDED. 

year George Washington was born. Passing up the 
Deerfield Pike from Bridgeton, shortly after entering 
the flourishing village of Deerfield, one encounters 
on the left of the roadway this interesting and stately 
edifice, the oldest church of all the country round 
about. The date, 1771, immediately catches the eye 



300 Cfte amomotJile Courist* 

at the first glimpse of tlie well-preserved stone struc- 
ture, as a plate hearing this date clear and distinct is 
set just beneath the eaves in the front pediment. In 
reality this ancient church was started way back in 
1732, the year that Washington was born, and it 
would seem more appropriate to have tliis date of its 
beginning in connection with the date of the erection 
of the present stone structure. 

The old Leake homestead may also be visited in 
Deerfield. The name of Leake was closely associated 
with all the early history of this old church, as the 
Leakes were of the good old representative families 
of this section of the country in pre-Revolutionary 
days. It was at the house of one of the original set- 
tlers, Kecompense Leake, that the church had its be- 
ginning in 1732, before its first log structure was 
built. The present building, which dates from 1771, 
is built of old-fashioned dark stone, with wdiite point- 
ing. In the old-time country fashion the graveyard 
surrounds the church, many of the tombstones of its 
most prominent families of the past standing directly 
in front of the big arched entrance door. 

Continuing on the road to Woodbury many inter- 
esting villages and towns are passed containing his- 
toric as well as modern interests. Mullica Hill, about 
eight miles southeast of Woodl)ury, is directly on the 
line of travel, and its ancient landmarks may be vis- 
ited wdth little loss of time. Its old Friends' Meeting 
House is a treasured landmark, and its famous marl 




ilOr.SE OF TEA-i:UKXIX(; FAMH. 




OYSTERIXG INDUSTRY AT BUEXA VISTA. 



302 Cbe amomotiile Coun0t 

pits form one of the most interesting of modern in- 
dustries. 

The place derives its name from Erick Mnllica, a 
Swede, who emigi'ated when a yonng man, and pur- 
chased a considerable tract of land in this vicinity, 
when the whole country was an unbroken forest. His 
dwelling stood on the north bank of Eaccoon Creek, 
and it is claimed that he lived to be one hundred years 
old. 

Originally the name of Mullica Hill was given only 
to that portion of the village north of the creek. The 
other section was called Spicersville, from Jacob 
Spicer, an emigrant who settled here and built the 
first dwelling erected on the south side of Raccoon 
Creek. 

When it is desirable to visit out-of-the-way places 
in Xew Jersey, roads that are especially sandy are 
the only ones to be avoided, and these are fewer than 
one would suppose. Even when it is necessary to 
leave the pikes or State roads many of the byways will 
provide good hard roadbeds of gravel, kept up by the 
counties. 



an auto Crip tip C59oonlig|)t* 



DrSTAA^CE FEOM PHILADELPHIA. 

About seventeen miles trom Front and Market Streets to 
Castle Rock. Side trip of five miles required for Kockdale 
Cemetery. Double the distance for return trip by same route. 

EOUTE. 
Out Market Street to Sixty-third Street; and out West Ches- 
ter Pike through Llanerch, Manoa. and Broomall to Castle Hock. 
Side trip from Edgemont to Episcopal churchyard at Rockdale. 

EOADS. 
Paved streets and smooth pike. 

What to See. 

Burd Orphan Asylum. 
Flower Astronomical Observatory. 
Arlington Cemetery. 

Old mills and homesteads along Darby Creek. 
Castle Hock — the outlaw's hiding-place. 

Ghostly spots made familiar by Bayard Taylor's Story of 
Kennett. 

Gypsy camping grounds. 

Historic Hatch's Hollow, mill ruins and water-wheels. 

Quaint old Penn Hotel. 

Inns and homesteads of Newtown Square. 

The Annie Drinker home at Edgemont. 

Burial-sround at Rockdale. 



an 3uto Crip ftp ^oonligftt 



An Evening Run to Ghostly Castle Rock and the Crumbling 
Mill Ruins of Old Hatch's Hollow. 



The aiitoniobilist has not realized the full measure 
of enjoyment to be secured from his capricious vehi- 
cle until he has tested moonlight jaimts to historic 
landmarks and objects of traditional lore. Within a 
few miles of Philadelphia there are many such trips 
to be enjoyed, of from ten to twenty miles distance, 
allowing an hour or more for the trip, to some famous 
point, from one to two hours for " spook-hunting,'^ 
and the review of legendary stories or moonlight 
feasting in the open air on the porch of some ancient 
hostelry, with the return trip by the same or a differ- 
ent route, according to the inclination of the party. 
When several auto owners join in perfecting the 
plans, with each car including two or more guests, the 
pleasure may be increased, and the expense lessened, 
as costs for supper and caterer may be divided on the 
co-operative plan. 

An ideal trip for a moonlight night may be taken 
out West Chester Pike. For a large party it is a good 
plan to meet at Sixty-third and Market Streets; for 
cars coming over from Camden there is a six and one- 
half mile journey from the foot of Market Street to 
the meeting place, a somewhat longer distance for 
those from Germantown, and still longer for cars 

305 
20 



306 



Cj)e automofiile Couri0t 



from Chestnut Hill. About one-third of the journey 
is thus made ])efore the real fun of the evening begins 
at Sixty-third and Market, as the trip from this point 
to Penn Hotel or Edgemont is only eleven or twelve 
miles distant. 

A visit by moonlight to the various points of inter- 
est along the pike may prolong the enjoyment. 
Cobb's Creek, the famous Burd Orphan Asylum, the 
Flower Astronomical Observatory, Arlington Ceme- 
tery, the wide, deserted expanse of the grounds of the 
Delaware Countv Countrv Club, and historic mills 




OLD MILESTONE ON WEST CHESTER PIKE. 



Crip ftp ^oonljgftt 307 

and dwelling houses along Darby Creek will all pos- 
sess an added charm when visited by moonlight, no 
matter how familiar they may be by daylight. But 
the real delight of the journey begins when Castle 
Kock is reached — a little over seventeen miles distant 
from Front and Market Streets. 

A GHOSTLY VISIT. 

This is especially desirable for an autumn or win- 
ter trip, when the place is found to be deserted even 
on the most alluring of moonlight evenings. The 
automobiles may be driven to the imposing pile of 
rocks that has given the name to the place. Here an 
account should be given — by previous preparation — 
of Bayard Taylor's story of '^ Kennett " and his 
notorious chai'acter, "" Sandy Flash " or " Sandy 
Flush." Then the elocution of the narrator should 
be brought into play in describing this character, 
which was taken from life; of the deeds of daring of 
the original of the noted desperado and outlaw, James 
Fitzpatrick, who terrorized the whole countryside 
during the Ke volution. Fitzpatrick hid from his pur- 
suers in the caves of Castle Rock, and the ghostly 
visitants, it is claimed by the superstitious, inhabit 
these caves since the hanging of the desperado. Then 
let the party explore the deep caverns and winding 
passages in the darkness beneath the acre of rocks, 
where not a ray of moonlight can penetrate. 

At Edgemont the famous home of Ann Drinker 



308 Cbe Automobile Coun0t 

may be visited, and some member of the party should 
be able to tell of her romantic life and the story of 
her brilliant social career, her misplaced affections 
upon an unworthy suitor, her confinement in a sani- 
tarium, on the ground that she was insane, by her 
guardian, who wished to secure possession of her es- 
tate; her rescue by her brother, who murdered her 
guardian. All the thrilling details of her varied ca- 
reer, w4th a description of the indispensable ghost cer- 
tain to haunt such homesteads, will provide another 
series of pleasurable thrills that will prove the main 
feature of the successful moonlight trip. 

For a longer run, and one in keeping with the main 
thought of the evening, a side trip of five miles may 
be taken from Edgemont to the pretty little Episco- 
pal churchyard at Rockdale, where Ann Drinker lies 
buried, near the grave of her brother Joseph. 

A brief review^ of the tragic end of the life of 
Joseph Drinker will be in keeping with the thoughts 
of the evening. Between Ann and her brother 
Joseph there existed a bond of love and sympathy 
that stood the strain of a murder and years of con- 
finement in a madhouse. After rescuing Ann from 
the asylum in which she had been confined — in the 
blindness of his passion over the wrong — Joseph 
murdered the crafty guardian who committed the 
crime. Ann spent the greater part of her fortune in 
the effort to save her brother from the gallows, and 
in the end she was successful, for the jury rendered 



Crip tip ^oonligbt 



309 



a verdict of insanity. When Joseph Drinker was sent 
to an insane asyhnn his sister retired from society and 
lived a recluse during the remainder of her long life. 
Kow that their bodies lie side by side in the little 
Rockdale cemetery, the place is frequently visited by 
the morbidlv curious who know their storv. 




MILL IX " HATCH S HOLLOW.' 



A moonlight run in the vicinity of West Chester 
Pike will not be complete without a short side trip to 
the right of the pike. Opposite the mysterious Cas- 
tle Rock is a narrow country roadway following 
Crum Creek down into " Hatch's Hollow." Two 
quaint little cottages are passed just after making this 
turn, one known by the rather imposing name of Pan 



310 Cfte automobile Coun0n 

Handle Spring, the other bearing the name of Brook- 
side Cottage. The latter is a curiosity rather attrac- 
tive to visitors, as the '^ cottage '' is merely an upper 
story of frame, set upon one of the oldest mills of the 
vicinity. On entering from the front door, which is 
on a level with the roadway, the place resembles a 
modern cottage, with a basement kitchen, but on pass- 
ing down the sloping yard to the basement one finds 
instead of the usual kitchen, a well-preserved type of 
the earliest of grist mills, with the old millstones and 
the ancient waterwheel standing as they did a hun- 
dred years or more ago; the old millrace, with its 
stone walls, still flows past the silent wheel, and the 
waters of the Crum are as musical to-day as they were 
useful in supplying the power for grinding the grain 
of Kevolutionary days. The modern cottage, as well 
as the ancient mill, is now deserted, and the silent 
place of memories proves especially attractive in the 
witchery of the moonlight. 

GYPSIES' CAMPING GROUND. 

After passing Brookside cottage the winding road- 
Avay leads through a silent woodland known as a 
favorite camping place for gypsies, until a bend in the 
creek is reached, Avith Hatch's Hollow on the other 
side, and apparently no means of crossing the w^ater 
to reach it. Investigation discloses a primitive 
bridge for foot passengers — merely the thick trunk of 
a long tree, with the frail support of a smaller branch 



Crip by Qgoonligftt 



311 



providing the railing of the quaint log bridge. There 
has never been a carriage bridge over the Crum at 
this place. Visitors to Hatch's Hollow must either 
risk the shaky support of the long single-log bridge, 
or cross over the ancient road. This has been one of 
the most picturesque spots along the Crum since 
Eevolutionarv davs, when the ford was formed for 




HAUXTED HOUSES OF THE HOLLOW. 



the convenience of the millers over in the '^ Hollow." 
The ford is still in good condition, a broad, substan- 
tial rock roadway with only a few inches of water 
flowing over it, although the creek is quite deep just 
below the crossing. It will prove perfectly safe for 
the automobiles to cross at this place, and on the 



312 



Cfte 3utomot)ile Couri0t 




PENN HOTEL ON WEST CHESTER PIKE. 



other side the ancient and mysterions Hatch's Hol- 
low is entered, where there nestles do\vn near the 
creek one of the most picturesque and interesting 
old mill ruins found in this part of the country. 

The names of Baker and Entriken Avere associated 
with the ancient mill in the early days, but during the 
past century the name of Hatch has predominated. 
The old mansion is known as " The Hatch Home- 
stead." Here Mr. Albert X. Hatch and his sister 
(both unmarried) were born about eighty years ago, 
and they are now the only ones remaining out of a 
large family. Mr. Hatch spent many years in travel, 
searching for fortune and adventure when the i2:old 



Crip ftp 90oonUgf)t* sis 

fields of the West proved most alluring. But after 
bis active life he takes special pride and delight in the 
peaceful valley and the intense solitude of the old 
home in the liollow. He is always ready to greet the 
curious visitors, who brave crossing at the ford or the 
treacherous-looking log bridge, and ever ready to tell 
the tales of the happenings in the hollow in years 
gone by — tales strangely in keeping with the ghost- 
thoughts of the evening. And seldom have ghost 
stories had a more appropriate setting than in the cen- 
tral open space of the hollow, surrounded by the old 
homestead and its long, narrow strip of garden and 
field on one side; the ruin-stretch of mill, wheel and 
race on another: the rambling line of dilapidated cot- 
tages, long deserted, on a third; and the creek, with 
its ancient ford and primitive bridge, on the fourth. 
Whether the historic Penn Hotel — about a mile 
beyond Edgemont — or the quaint old inn once pre- 
sided over by Benjamin West's father at N'ewtown 
Square, is selected for the evening feast, a description 
of its historic renown should be given by the lecturer 
of the party, for ancient facts and legends related 
under such circumstances are of special interest. 
Such an evening, combining the witchery of ancient 
legends and traditions with modern catering, and the 
most modern mode of travel, will make a series of 
moonlight runs the most delightful that could be en- 
joyed by automobilists. 




WHERE COOLING WATERS FLOW. 



Li0t of 3(Ilustmtion0* 



DUOTONE PLATES. opp. page 

The Charm of the Deep Woods Road for the Twentieth 

Century Traveler 3 

Potts Mansion, Washington's Headquarters at Valley 

Forge 13 

Washington's Headquarters after the Famous Crossing of 

the Delaware 71 

" Ivy Green," where Originated the Cheltenham Academy . 101 ^ 

Red Lion Inn on the Bristol Pike 145 

Old Swedes Church, on the Banks of the Christiana 193 r 

The Charm of the Wissahickon 239 ^' 

Gypsy Camping Grounds on Deerfield Pike 289 

HALF-TONE ENGRAVINGS. page 

City Hall and State House, Philadelphia 6 

Rustic Charms of Village Streams 12 

Washington Spring on Valley Creek 14 

The Famous Hanging Rock of Gulf :\lills 18 

King of Prussia Inn on the Road to Valley Forge 22 

A Street of Deserted Homes at Valley Forge 22 

A Modern Way of Braving the Rigors of a Valley Forge 

Winter 20 

Stately Old Stenton, James Logan's Home 28 

Stenton Burying Ground, Sloping Down to Old York Road 31 

" Solitude " is Well Worth a Detour from York Road 33 

The Butler Mansion of Fanny Kemble Fame 35 

Avenue of Trees Leading from Thorp's Lane to the Butler 

Mansion 37 

Cornwallis Headquarters, Destroyed by the Boulevard .... 39 

Perkiomen Bridge Hotel on the Reading Pike 42 

Perkiomen Bridge at Collegeville 46 

Log Cabin Studio near Neversink ^Mountain 50 

Eagleville Hotel on the Reading Pike 54 

Wrightstown Monument of " Walking Purchase '' Fame . 50 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 

PAGE 

Anchor Hotel of Wrightstowii 60 

Historic Wrightstown Meeting House 04 

Burying Ground at Wrightstown INIeeting 04 

Celebrated Inn at Warrington 70 

Only Original Bonaparte Building Still Standing in the 

Park 72 

Linden Hall of Bordentown 76 

Hopkinson Homestead on the Trenton Road 79 

Modern Mansion in Center of Bonaparte Park 82 

Famous '* Lake House." Destroyed by Fire 85 

Stopping for Water 86 

Tower of Fisher Mansion, Removed by Filter Plant 88 

The Commodore Decatur Homestead 92 

A Section of the Unfinished Filter Plant 95 

Country Seat of Edwin Forrest, now a Home for Actors . . 98 

Doorway of Edwin Forrest Home 100 

Library of Hatboro 102 

Shoemaker Homestead and Mill Race 105 

Ancient Grist Mill of Hatboro 109 

Washington's Headquarters on the Xeshaminy near Harts- 

ville 112 

The Famous Loller Academy 114 

The Old Hatboro Bridge 116 

Ancient Pennypack Church at Bustleton 118 

Old Hotel and Village Street of Bustleton 121 

The " Bee-Hive " Building at Bustleton 124 

Old Homestead Railroad Depot at Bustleton 127 

Unfinished Monument at Crescentville 130 

Historic Bridge where York Road Crosses Tacony Creek at 

Shoemakertown 132 

Old Shoemaker Mill, now Cheltenham Flour :\Iills 139 

Toby Leech Grist Mill of Sea -Biscuit Fame 143 

Old Rock Run Forms a Picturesque Lake and Waterfall at 

" Outalauna " 144 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 

PAGE 

Historic Ha'penny Hotel on Bristol Pike at Bridgewater . . 146 

Bristol Pike Crosses Neshaniiny Creek at Bridgewater .... 150 

Battle Monument at Trenton 153 

Asbury Park from Wesley Lake 156 

Stone Marking the Landing Place of William Penn 158 

The Lazaretto at Essington 162 

Chester's Famous Black Bear Inn 165 

Dr. Weston in His Famous Rose Garden at Upland 168 

The Old Pusey Homestead at Upland 172 

James Phillips, Long the Oldest Resident of Marcus Hook 178 

A Quaint Old-time Kitchen of the Pusey Homestead 178 

Shadows and Sunshine of the Country Lane 180 

Historic Bartram House 182 

" Woodlands," of Hamilton Fame 186 

Old Cider Press in Bartram's Gardens 190 

Mammoth Bald Cypress Tree at Bartram's Gardens 192 

Memorial Stone Commemorating the Landing of the 

Swedes at Christiana (now Wilmington) in 1638 194 

Outside Entrance to Church Gallery at Old Swedes 198 

Building of Historical Society of Delaware 201 

Rock on which the Swedish Colonists Landed in 1638, now 

a ]\Iecca for History Students 204 

The Famous Ringing Rocks near Pottstown 206 

Ruins of Old jVIarble Works near Blue Marble Quarry 209 

Historic Plymouth Meeting House 212 

Oldest Lutheran Church in America at Trappe 215 

An Alluring Stretch of Country Roadway 216 

Typical Covered Bridge Across the Lehigh above Easton . . 218 

Historic Durham Furnace 222 

Fresh Charms at Every Turn 222 

Canal View near Raubsville , 227 

Roadway Along the Canal at Kintnersville 227 

Ancient St. Mary's Episcopal Church of Burlington 230 

Vine-covered " General Grant House " of Burlington .... 233 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 

PAGE 

Homes of Captain James Lawrence and James Fenimore 

Cooper 235 

Historic Smitli Ho7nestead at Burlington 237 

" Cliveden," Chew jMansion. Centre of the Eevolutionary 

Battle 240 

White Cottage, of Early Silver Fork Fame 242 

The Old Wister Mansion 246 

Morris House, or " Germantown White House " 248 

" Wyck," the Haines Homestead 251 

Green Tree Tavern, or Pastorius House 255 

The Famous Ship House 257 

Concord Schoolhouse and Upper Burying Ground 257 

M'Dowell Mansion and Grounds on which [Monument 

Stands 260 

General Wayne Inn 263 

]VIerion Meeting House 266 

High Bridge Over the Wissahickon 272 

A Bathing Scene at Atlantic City 274 

A Typical Atlantic City Cottage , 279 

The Seaside Home for the City's Poor 283 

Rustic Bridge on Lincoln Drive 288 

Woods' Mansion at Greenwich 290 

Old Town Hall at Greenwich 293 

Taking Eoe from a Mammoth Sturgeon at Bay Side 

Caviare Industry 206 

The Cohansey Wharf, where the Tea was Landed 299 

House of Tea-burning Fame 301 

Oystering Industry at Buena Msta 301 

The Ancient Homestead in "• Hatch's Hollow " 304 

Old Milestone on West Chester Pike 306 

Mill in " Hatch's Hollow *' 309 

Haunted Houses of the Hollow 311 

Penn Hotel on West Chester Pike 312 

" Where Cooling Waters Flow " 314 




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BINDERY INC. 

1989 

n,=™ N. MANCHESTER, 
^^ INDIANA 46962 







